Jacob Weber

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Jacob Anthony Weber, age 69 went to tend his heavenly garden after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, June 18, 2021 at his home.

Jacob was born October 8, 1951 in Oakley, KS the son of Celestine J and Katherine L (Brungardt) Weber. He graduated in 1969 from Grinnell High School in Grinnell, KS. He attended Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture in 1974.

While attending Kansas State University, he met the love of his life, Michele Marie Moore, and they were united in marriage May 25, 1974 in Youngstown, OH.

After graduation, Jacob returned to the family farm in Northwestern Kansas where he farmed for 15 years and operated Weber’s Spring Nursery until 1988. Jacob then moved to Columbus, KS where he was the Tri County Kansas State University Research and Extension Service Horticulture Agent serving Cherokee, Crawford and Montgomery Counties from 1988 until 2011, and then serving as the Horticulture Agent for the Kansas State University Research and Extension Wildcat District for Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson Counties until his retirement in 2019.

Many people spent their Saturday mornings with Jacob while listening to “Gardening with Jake” on KKOW AM radio or enjoying coffee while taking in “Green Side Up” on KGGF AM radio on Wednesdays. They also had the opportunity to watch him on KOAM TV where he would give extensive gardening tips and advice during his “In The Garden” segments and then later his “Wildcat Wednesday” appearances. He contributed also to the Columbus Daily Advocate with his “Back Porch Gardener” columns. He was frequently seen enjoying the local county fairs where he volunteered his time judging exhibits. Jacob passed much of his vast knowledge to other local gardeners through the Master Gardener program.

Jacob also enjoyed being outdoors and exploring nature anytime he got the opportunity. He had a deep respect for this planet and everything on it. If he was not tending to his garden or canning his annual harvest, he would be found exploring parks and identifying the local plants and trees. Jacob was also an excellent cook and thoroughly enjoyed working in the kitchen preparing meals for the family. Additionally, he was deeply passionate about wood working and home remodeling and devoted his final years to updating his residential home and had nearly completed a total renovation before his passing.

Jacob was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Columbus, KS. He was 3rd Degree member of the Columbus Knights of Columbus Council #9999 where he served as Grand Knight, Reporter, and Financial Secretary. He also became a 4th Degree member in the Knights as a part of the Commodore Barry Assembly #883 in Pittsburg, KS. He, along with Michele, served as high school religious education teachers at St Rose of Lima. Jacob also served the community through his involvement on the Columbus Public Library Board, City of Columbus Tree Board, and the Parsons Arboretum of Parsons, KS.


Jacob was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, David Weber of Oakley, KS; sister in law Rose Weber; nephews, Joseph Weber and Matthew Weber.

Jacob is survived by his wife, Michele of the home; 4 sons, Aaron (wife, Jacqualine) of Des Peres, MO, Eric (wife, Angelita) of Fallon, NV, Gregory of Pittsburg, KS, Dominic of Kansas City, MO; a daughter, Christa Warlop (husband, Daniel) of Pittsburg, KS; grandchildren, Case and Ryker Weber of Des Peres, MO; step grandchildren, Mary Angelica Protestades Ortega, of Fallon, NV, Arlo and Olive Warlop, of Pittsburg, KS; brothers, William (wife, Barbara) of Florissant, MO, John (wife, Nancy) of Oakley, KS, Edwin (wife, Karen) of Imperial, MO, Leonard (wife, Donna) of Hoxie KS; sisters, Margaret (husband, Gary) Dohm of Salina, KS and Mary Ann (husband, Philip) Reitcheck of Goodland, KS, Cheri Weber (wife of David) of Oakley, KS; and many beloved nieces , nephews, and cousins.

Visitation and Rosary will be held Friday, June 25, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Columbus, KS. Knights of Columbus rosary will be prayed at 6:00 pm followed by the parish rosary at 6:30 pm. The family will receive friends immediately following the rosaries until 8:00 pm.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Columbus with burial to follow in St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery, Scammon, KS. Under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home, Columbus, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.