Mark James Weix Sr., age 82, of Merrill, passed into eternal rest from natural causes on Friday, July 21, 2023 at Bell Tower Residence, where he and his wife, Betty, resided.  Mark was born on August 23, 1940 to the late Emil and Kathleen (O’Malley) Weix in Medford, WI. He married the love of his life, Betty Schewe, on June 10, 1961, at St. Roberts Catholic Church in Merrill. In his youth, Mark enjoyed participating in sports; hockey, football and baseball. The highlight of his youth sports participation was having attained Wisconsin All State Football Guard from Merrill High School.  He attended and graduated from Merrill High School with the class of 1958.  As the years passed, he enjoyed coaching Merrill youth and his sons in Merrill Youth Tackle Football. He later went on to enjoy seeing his sons participate in the sports he loved and supported the booster clubs for wrestling and football.  Mark was an active member of the Silver M Club, achieving a Golden M.  He relished knowing each of his seven sons are or would become a member of the Silver M Club.  Fishing, hunting and teaching his children to enjoy the outdoors and planning summer vacations all over the United States kept him busy.  He looked forward to his hunting trips to Montana with the Waids and going to the hunting shack, the “Newood Hilton”. Mark grew up in the canning business; with his father’s business being the Oconomowoc Canning Company.  He would take his family to visit the many canneries throughout Wisconsin. Mark worked up to three jobs to support his growing family.  During his working career, he took great pride in working from a bank teller to a vice president of a bank.  Mark would take tremendous joy in being able to help people make wise investments, obtain loans and give financial advice.  He was employed at Citizens American Bank, M&I Bank and retired from River Valley State Bank.  Mark was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and participated in various community volunteer clubs including the JC’s, Optimist, Knights of Columbus and the Silver M Club.  He also enjoyed his time at the Waid Funeral Home coffee clutch.  Mark looked forward to his regular “drive-by’s” of his children’s homes! Mark loved his family, and was very proud that each of his ten children had graduated from college and had a degree.  He had a deep commitment to his catholic faith, and was a fierce supporter of the Merrill community.  He was a fun-loving and supportive man that will be missed by family and friends.

Mark is survived by his wife of 62 years: Elizabeth “Betty” Louise (Schewe) Weix, and their 10 children: Mark (Deb) Weix Jr. of Merrill, Kathleen (Paul) Weix-Klippel of Merrill, Mary Jo (Barry) Klade of Merrill, Joe (Lisa) Weix of Merrill, Barb (Chris) Redman of Eau Claire, WI, Tom (Amy Jay) Weix of Antigo, Jim (Shelley) Weix of Merrill, Bob (Abby) Weix of Cloquet, MN, Bill Weix of Columbia Heights, MN and Paul (Brianne) Weix of Janesville, WI, 38 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, brother: Emil Joe Weix and sisters: Mary Ann Ritchay and Pat McCarren.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mark will be held on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 12pm at St. Francis Catholic Xavier Church in Merrill.  Father Maria Vallabhaneni will officiate.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 4pm-8pm at Waid Funeral Home, and again on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 11am – 11:45am, also at the funeral home.  Burial at the St. Francis Catholic Xavier Cemetery will immediately follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, family request that donations be directed in Mark’s name to the St. Francis Catholic Xavier Church building fund or the Silver M Club. Family wishes to thank the staff at Bell Tower Residence for their care and compassion shown to Mark over the years, and their continued care of their mother, Betty. They also want to extend their thanks to Andrea Heller and Dr. Gregory Gill.  The kids want to express their love and appreciation to their mom, Betty, for her 62 years of dedication to their beloved father.

For those unable to attend Mass, a recording for future viewing will be posted under his obituary on the funeral home website. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.