Alvin J. Weiler

West Leyden -Alvin J. Weiler, Sr., 86, of State Rt. 294, husband of Helen, and a decorated WWII veteran, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, while under the care of his loving family and Oneida Co. Hospice. Alvin was born in Fish Creek on the Weiler homestead farm on April 2, 1922, a son of George and Pearl Kaido Weiler. He grew up in Fish Creek, and attended West Leyden Central School. In 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was in Company C of the 47th Reg. 9th Division, attaining the rank of S/Sgt. While serving in the European Theater of WW II, Staff Sgt. Weiler fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, and was among the first troops to cross Remagen Bridge. He also served in the Central European Campaign, the Ardennes Campaign, and the Rhineland Campaign. After re-enlisting in March 1946, Mr. Weiler served as a guard at the Nuremberg Trials in Germany. As the result of his WWII service he received the following medals: three battle stars, Central Europe, Ardennes and Rhineland Campaign medals, Combat Infantry Badge and Citation with two clusters, European Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Award, French Braid, Belgian Braid, and Good Conduct Medal. Alvin was a self-employed logging contractor for over 50 years and worked for many different logging contractors until his retirement, after that remaining active in the logging industry. His favorite wood to cut was hard maple. For several years he operated his logging firm with his sons; Alvin, Jr., and Gary, known as the A. Weiler & Sons Logging Co., a business that involved much of his family. On June 22, 1946, Alvin was united in marriage to Helen I. LaQuay in St. Mary's Nativity Church, West Leyden, with Fr. Edward Rivette officiating. This was a blessed union that endured for sixty two years. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, West Leyden, and the Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW, Boonville. Alvin greatly loved and treasured his family. He is survived by his wife Helen I. Weiler. On May 29, 2008, he was predeceased by a son, Alvin J. Weiler, Jr. He is also survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Gary Weiler and Robin, Taberg, Terry Weiler and Tammy, West Leyden, Wayne Weiler and Tina, Boonville; four daughters and three sons-in-law. Sally Clarke, Utica, Nancy Dumont and Brian, West Leyden, Susan Malek and Rick, Frankfort, NY, Carol Dykstra and James, Monroe, NY (Orange Co.); a daughter-in-law, Margaret Weiler, West Leyden; eighteen grandchildren; twenty one great-grandchildren; two sisters, Adeline Croniser, Boonville and Pearl Waldron, Greig; six brothers, Thomas, Clark Mills, Clayton, Constableville, Norbert, Boonville, Robert, Locust Grove, Theodore, Constableville, George, West Leyden; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by an infant son Robert, in 1951, by brothers, Alfred, Ambrose, and Leslie Weiler, a sister Louella Brinkerhoff, and by a son-in-law, Francis Clarke in 1992. His Funeral will be Friday at 10:00 A.M. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, and at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Church, West Leyden, where Rev. Lawrence Marullo, pastor, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow with military rites from the Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W., and the Tun Tavern Leathernecks Marine Corps League, in St. Mary's Cemetery, West Leyden. Calling hours are Thursday 1-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care. Inc 4277 Middle Settlement Road New Hartford, NY 13413, or to American Cancer Society, Oneida Herkimer Branch Office, 100 Lomond Place, Utica, NY 13502.