Dr. J. Stafford Weeks

J. Stafford Weeks, age 88, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at 1:05 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2009, at OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth. Stafford was born on September 27, 1920, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and is the son of John B. and Erma A. Leese Weeks. Stafford was raised in Hanover where he attended the local schools and graduated from Hanover High School. He then attended and received a B.A. degree in Religion from Juniata College in Pennsylvania. Stafford then entered Bonebrake Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, where he received his Master of Divinity. He then received a Doctorate of Philosophy and Theological Studies from the School of Divinity at the University of Chicago. Dr. Weeks first served the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, and also served later at an Evangelical United Brethren Church in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Huron, South Dakota where he served as Chaplain and professor at Huron College for six years before coming to Monmouth in 1959. Dr. Weeks joined Monmouth College as Chaplain and Professor of Religion and has served here in many capacities to the present including two terms as Dean of the College. Monmouth College recently honored Dr. Weeks with dedication of the "Weeks House" of Religious Studies on campus. Stafford also served seven years as interim minister at Sugar Tree Grove United Presbyterian Church locally and preached at many other area churches over the years. Stafford has played an active role in both Faith United Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church, of Monmouth. Throughout his time here, Stafford has been active in community affairs, and was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Monmouth Rotary Club. He was a founding member and very active in the Maple City Dixieland Jazz Band, playing the clarinet. Dr. Weeks has been an inspiration to many far and wide in his faith, his community, his college, his family and to all that came in contact with him. Surviving Stafford is his wife of sixty-two years, Winifred Weeks of Monmouth, three daughters, Pam Braun (Jim) of St. Louis, Missouri; Cindy Fraser (Kim) of Champaign, Illinois; and Wendy Smith (Arnie) of Kewanee, Illinois. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Ben, Joel, Matthew, Seth, and Hannah, as well as one great grandson, Joshua. Preceding Stafford in death are his parents and one brother, Glendon. Services:A memorial service is planned at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, on Saturday January 31, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. No viewing, visitation, or calling hours are being planned by his family. Cremation is being accorded. His family plans to receive friends for fellowship following the service at Faith United Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the Weeks family would suggest memorials be made to either Monmouth College, Faith United Presbyterian Church, or Jamieson Center of Monmouth. Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth.