Local News

Woodbury native had ‘heart of gold’

Weaver, who operated area funeral homes, died Oct. 19

Woodbury native Sheldon Henry Weaver was known by the community to lend a helping hand.

"He would give the shirt off his back to a stranger," longtime friend Joseph "JD" Donaldson said.

As a second generation funeral director, Weaver owned and operated area funeral homes such as Carn-Weaver Funeral Home, Altoona Area Crematory and Weaver Funeral Home, caring for local families during their times of loss.

Weaver passed away Oct. 19 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown after emergency officials found him pinned by a tree that fell on him while he was cutting trees on a property at Hopewell Township. He was 66.

Family and friends remember Weaver's free spirit. He was a devoted member of Memorial Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg, collected Mopar cars and posted stories on his Facebook account.

Donaldson said he went above and beyond for his customers, making them feel like family.

"He never met a stranger," Donaldson said. "He touched everybody."

Weaver was born in Roaring Spring and graduated from Northern Bedford High School in 1978. He enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and Penn State Altoona before operating Carn-Weaver Funeral Home and Altoona Area Crematory.

Family friend Troy Byers knew Weaver like a brother, as Weaver's parents bought their funeral home from Byer's grandparents.

Weaver grew up learning how to become a mortician like his father, Byers said. And it was his love for God that helped him learn, grow and do great things for others.

"He has a heart of gold," Byers said. "He would do anything for you."

Weaver had three children: Shannon, Sheldon Grant and John Henry, along with stepdaughter Jessica Brumbelow. He is also survived by his fiancee, Jenny Smith.

"He was an amazing dad," Shannon said. "He cared for us so much, and one of the things he loved doing was taking photos and documenting our achievements no matter how small or large."

While being a great dad, Sheldon said the community knew his father as a great funeral director who met many people through his profession and provided them emotional support.

"You always wonder how funeral directors keep it together, and I think it's because he put God first and knew it would be OK," Sheldon said.

After his father passed away in 1999, Weaver worked alongside his mother in Woodbury at S. Gerald Weaver Funeral Home and assumed sole ownership of Weaver Funeral Home LLC in 2016. He ran his business until his retirement in 2021.

While managing his business, he was known to collect antique vehicles such as Mopar cars and even an old hearse, Donaldson said, who owns JD's Detailing Car Wash in Martinsburg.

Some of Weaver's cars were featured in magazines, Donaldson said, which were displayed at Weaver's business.

Weaver was also active on his personal Facebook account, posting photos of old cars, adventures with family and friends and even a video challenge running laps around his house wearing shorts in frigid temperatures.

"He cared a lot, but he was very carefree," Donaldson said.

Funeral director Thomas Stone bought Weaver's funeral business in 2021. Now named Fink & Stone Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Thomas still remembers his internship with Weaver, learning the ropes of running a funeral business.

"He was always doing something for someone whether it was funeral related or not," Stone said. "I never knew what I would help with at work. Sometimes I would mow grass, look at a car or take care of funeral business."

As the Morrisons Cove community mourns one of their own, Stone said that they will remember a trusted mortician who cared for his neighbors.

"I won't forget the man who taught me everything I need to know about the funeral business, the one who gave me a chance," Stone said.

Visitation for Weaver will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Fink & Stone Funeral Home, Woodbury. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Memorial Church of the Brethren, Martinsburg; Pastor Eric Martin officiating. Private interment will be at Dry Hill Cemetery, Woodbury.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.