Herbert James Weinand

Herbert James Weinand, age 90, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed away peacefully into the arms of God August 5, 2022, after a short stay at Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Defuniak Springs, Florida. Herb was born July 16, 1932, in Oak Park, Illinois; the son of Herbert and Anne (Flaherty) Weinand. His dad passed away when Herb was one years old. He was always thankful of his relationship and guidance from his stepfather, John Howlett. Herb was a good athlete, playing football for Oak Park High School, Class of 1950. Since high school, he was known as “Handsome Herb, the hustling Huskie”. He was a star receiver and despite hating to get hit, he was so happy when he “got ink” in the local papers. Herb also had a column in his high school newspaper and was in the choir. He attended Illinois State and Earlham College in Indiana. To be true, he would always say, “I was still a 2nd semester freshman after my sophomore year!" He has kept strong friendships with school friends. Herb then married Cynthia Woods in Oak Park and they had six children: Herbie Jr., Kate, Julia, Tim, Jonathon and Sarah. He enjoyed being a Dad, coaching and teaching his kids; although he would admit he didn’t always hit the target.   

Later in life, Herb found a true love in Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Morris, they were married in 1977. “Betty loved him, adored him, and thought he was funny.” Betty once introduced Herb as, “A man that had both feet firmly planted…..in mid air!” They shared a passion for literature, history, music, poetry and art. They brought together a blended family, including Betty’s kids; Pat, Peter, Meg and Kit. They continued-on with life in Oak Park, as Herb sold and built pools across the country and Betty taught school. After some time, they found an old farmstead near Mt. Carroll to retire. Before too long they were redoing the farmstead into The Farm Bed & Breakfast. Their country retreat became well-known and was a success. They also continued to operate Royal Pool & Spa for several years. Herb and Betty enjoyed escaping to the Florida coast every year for a month or two. They attended SS. John & Catherine Catholic Church in Mt. Carroll where Herb taught Sunday school for high-school age and participated as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Betty passed away at age 81, August 13, 2003.

From participating in his communities in the Great River Outreach, prison ministry, teaching Young Adult Sunday School, the Camel Club, old-farts club, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and study-groups to just spending time getting to know someone, listening and helping to lift a burden, Herb was there to help. He would often say about himself or others, a good man getting better. He always enjoyed the companionship of close friends, sharing in their lives. Herb also loved and cared for his dogs (always a Golden) including Wishbone and Aya.

Herb continued to visit Florida near family and eventually made Santa Rosa Beach his home, attending St. Rita Catholic Church, where he continued to participate and make a difference.  Herb was an innovator when it came to community involvement. Toward the end of his life he inspired the effort for St. Vincent de Paul to take on prison outreach to women who were being freed from their incarceration. He was a lifelong devotee and participant in prison ministry. With his Catholic spirituality and devotion as a guiding light, he made yearly silent retreats with the Jesuits to Manresa on the Mississippi in Convent, LA. Herb was a follower of Ignatius and practiced daily discernment with Jesuit readings. “With God, anything can happen.” Herb had a deep commitment to the Rosary prayer and a true devotion to Our Lady.

Herb will be dearly missed by his family and close friends. He has been, and will continue to be an inspiration; bringing heart, talent, discernment and even humor to bear while tackling difficult problems in life. He showed this wisdom the way he tackled problems in his life, even practicing the steps of AA for over 18 years.

Herb’s family includes nine children and stepchildren, Meg (Greg) Hood of Santa Rosa Beach; Herbie Weinand, Jr. of River Forest, IL; Julia Weinand of Chicago; Tim Weinand of Oak Park, IL; Peter Morris of Clinton, IA; Jonathon (Mary) Weinand of Burlington, IA; Kit (Garth) Morris Phillips of San Francisco, CA; Kate (Jimmie) Richerson of Virginia and Sarah Weinand; seventeen grandchildren; and two half-brothers, John (Joanne) Howlett and Thomas (Regina) Howlett. He is also survived by several close friends that were like family. Herb is preceded in death by his wife Betty; stepdaughter, Pat Morris; brother, Frank; sister, Barbara (William) Gunn; and  son-in-law, Dick Kaspar.

Two Funeral Masses will be held; the first to be held in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at St. Rita Catholic Church; and the second in Mt. Carroll, Illinois at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 3, 2022, at SS John & Catherine Catholic Church followed by burial of ashes in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. *You may view either service at https://m.facebook.com/groups/3297790760497612/?ref=share_group_link

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.