He began work at age 14 at Sunshine Dairy (now known as Turner Dairies) in Paducah, KY where he hitch hiked from Cunningham to work. One of his many duties in later years at the dairy was making the ice cream mix for the local Dairy Queen. After a heart attack at age 26, he was told by his doctor to find a different line of work. He moved to Hammond, IN and began work at Thrall Car Manufacturing Company in Chicago Heights, IL building railroad freight cars. After a couple of years he began work at LaSalle Steel and worked there for 30 years before retiring. One of his jobs was as a “hooker” where he hooked steel to a crane! He lived within a couple of blocks of LaSalle Steel and walked to work his entire career there.
He loved and adored his family! He loved tinkering with cars and collecting tools!
He was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Ann Deweese; mother, Alda Deweese; father, Noble Deweese; brothers, Kenneth Deweese and Ray Deweese; and grandson, Joe Deweese. He is survived by his 6 children; Barbara Roper (John), David Deweese (Susan), Martha Bailey (late husband Mike), Debbie Wasloski, William Deweese, Brandon Deweese (Shanda); 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Gene Deweese (Dorothy Jo), Joe Dale Deweese (Cathy), and Donnie Deweese (Candi); his only sister, Linda “Sissy” Watkins (Tim); Janice Deweese (Kenneth’s widow); Nancy Deweese (Ray’s widow); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Deweese is being cremated and will be buried in the family cemetery at Cunningham Memorial Garden Cemetery in Cunningham, KY at a future date.
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