Jim Weaver

(From Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home)

Jim Weaver, age 79, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri passed away Friday morning, May 10, 2024.

James Wesley Weaver was born March 5, 1945, in Hannon, Missouri to Everett L. and Naomi (Mallory) Weaver. He was raised in the area, helping his dad on the farm, and also working in the hayfields for his Uncle Jim Bunton. He attended college in northern Missouri for a while and then went to work for Finley Engineering in Lamar, Mo.

His first wife, Mary Ann Heim of Lamar, was tragically killed in an auto accident less than a year after their marriage. He then married Valerie Hallam, daughter of Ted and Oivie Hallam, on March 1, 1969, in El Dorado Springs, Mo.

Jim was very talented, making black powder muskets from scratch, and creating beautiful objects from African bull horn and many other items, including headdresses and buckskin outfits for he and his wife. They attended rendezvous for quite a few years, selling his homemade items. He also raised exotic animals awhile, and big Brutus (his mountain lion raised from a cub) was among his favorites. He enjoyed the outdoors and traveling, visiting places in the USA and in Scotland.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Valerie, of their home outside of El Dorado Springs his 2 children — Jason and wife Ronda of El Dorado Springs, MO, and daughter, Heather and husband Devon Magruder of El Dorado Springs. He has 4 grandchildren and 2 step- grandchildren, Cheron Weaver Foley and Ethen Weaver and wife Caitlin, of Nevada, MO, Jared Stidham and Kaleb Weaver of El Dorado Springs, and Levi and Faythe Thurman of Reedsville, WV and Matthew and Haley Thurman, of El Dorado Springs. He also has 8 great-grandchildren — Mark, Cyrus and Zayden Foley, Jensen, Adlyn, and Peyten Weaver and Everett and Mason Thurman, and Phynixx and Harleigh Stidham (also AlecZander Stidman, deceased).

He is also survived by 4 sisters, Barbara (Richard) King of Hannon, MO, Sue Page of Pittsburg, KS, Joyce (Earl) Caldwell of Nevada, MO, and Donna (Larry) Beisley of Hannon, MO. 

There will be no funeral services. His ashes will be buried later at Worsley Cemetery in Vernon County MO.