Rev. Gloria Weber

Weber, Rev. Gloria R. (nee Richie), Asleep in Jesus on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at age 86.  She is beloved wife of the late John R. Weber, for 57 years.  Beloved mother of Julia Weber, Betty (Mark) Vitela, Ruth (Tom Wilson) Weber and John Jr. (Cami) Weber.   Loving grandmother of Wilson (Amanda) Buck-Wilson, Rachel Wilson, and Marisa, Mariana, Mary and Sally Weber. Dearest sister of George (Linda) Richie and Roger (Linda Henry) Richie. Dear aunt, great-aunt and friend to many.

Gloria was born in 1933, the oldest child of George and Gladys Richie.  After graduating from Cleveland High School, she attended Washington University, St. Louis, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Education.  Gloria taught grade school in Webster Groves.

In 1954, she married John Weber, son of Fred and Charlotte Weber, retiring from teaching to raise four children.  John owned Fred Weber Inc, one of the premier road construction firms in the United States

Returning to education, Gloria attended Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves and earned a Master of Christian Education in 1973 and a Master of Divinity in 1974.  Gloria was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on May 26, 1974, becoming the first female Lutheran pastor serving in parish ministry.  She served at Bethany Lutheran in Webster Groves, St Luke’s Lutheran in Manchester and Holy Cross Lutheran in Creve Coeur.  Eventually Gloria transitioned back to education working as a Family Life Educator at Lutheran Family and Children’s Service of Missouri.

Gloria became a chaplain for the St. Louis County Police Department.

She was elected and served one term as a Missouri State Representative 1993 to 1994.  She co-sponsored and passed legislation—including extending COBRA benefits for those 55-64 years of age.  She was named Democratic Rookie of the Year in 1994.

Gloria received numerous awards and honors:  1977, St. Louis Globe Democrat Woman of Achievement; 1978, St. Louis Variety Club--Woman of the Year; 1985, St. Louis Sentinel--Unselfish Community Service; 1993, Gateway Chapter of the Older Women’s League--Woman of Worth; 1994, Lutheran Family and Children’s Service--Faith in Action.

After retiring from public service, Gloria organized and created an online service, Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice.

Gloria loved sewing, entertaining, reading, walking, taking care of her dogs, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and family and most especially, spending time with her husband, John.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lutheran Senior Services Living Foundation, 1150 Hanley Industrial Court, St. Louis, MO (63144) / LSSLiving.org are appreciated.

Services:  Visitation Monday, January 27, at the Chapel of Meramec Bluffs Senior Living, #50 Meramec Trail Drive, Ballwin, MO (63021) from 10:00 am to the time of funeral services at 11:00 am Monday (1/27) followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Affton, MO.  (Arrangements by John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes) “Z”