Mata Marie Weber

Mata Marie Weber, 79, of Belleville, IL formerly of Grantfork, IL, passed into God’s Hands, Saturday, August 20, 2016, at New Athens Home for the Aged, New Athens, IL.

Mata was born July 25, 1937, to Ken and Joan (Nee Ledwidge) Lowry, Sr., in St. Louis, MO. On August 27, 1955, she married Fred Weber, Jr., in St. Louis, MO.

She was Chapter Leader for St. Louis Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children for more than 30 years. She worked for Kroger in Highland, IL for many years before retiring in the late 1980’s. Mata earned her Associates degree in Criminology when she was 50. She was an advocate for victim’s rights and was a main force in Missouri and Illinois in getting laws changed for victims to have a voice.

After the death of her daughter, Karen, she and her husband adopted and raised Karen’s 2 sons, as their own.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Joan Lowry, Sr.; her husband of 45 years, Fred Weber, Jr.; daughter, Karen Weber Hock; sister, Jan Schweppe; brother, Ken Lowry, Jr.

Mata is survived by her children, Fred Weber, III, Belleville, IL, Dawn (Steve) Sisco-Smith, Belleville, IL, Lynn Spicer, Belleville, IL, Diane (fiancé, Carl Wright) Weber, Waterloo, IL, Jeff Weber, Smithton, IL, Angela Berkel, Leander, TX, Jeremie Hock, RedBud, IL, Jason (Shawna) Hock, Granite City, IL; grandchildren, Duane, Jennifer, Dan, Matt, AshLee, Jacob, Samantha, Brandon, Sarah, Natalie, Mellissa; brothers, Gary (Marion) Lowry, AZ, Ray (Sue) Lowry, Belleville, IL, Terry (Kathy) Lowry, Belleville, IL; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Visitation: Saturday, August 27, 2016, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Funeral: Saturday, August 27, 2016, at 11:00 am at Meridith Funeral Home.

Clergy: Rev. Greg Dickerman

Interment: At a later date.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL