Donald “Don” Weber, a longtime member of the Cumberland and Wiota, Iowa, area who later lived in Leesburg, Florida, died on March 8, 2026, at the age of 93. His obituary remembers a life shaped by family, military service, aviation and deep connections to the Iowa community where he grew up.
Born on May 3, 1932, on a farm north of Cumberland in Cass County, Weber grew up in the Wiota area and graduated from Wiota High School. He later built a 20-year career in the United States Air Force, ultimately retiring as a Major after serving during an era that included the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
His military career was particularly notable for his work as a transport pilot. After completing Officer Candidate School in 1959, Weber flew the C-141 Starlifter and accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours during his years in uniform.
Background: Who Was Donald “Don” Weber?
Donald Weber was born May 3, 1932, on a farm north of Cumberland, Iowa, in Cass County. His parents were Wesley H. Weber and Helen (Hopkins) Weber.
He spent his early years in the Wiota area, where he attended school and eventually graduated from Wiota High School. His Iowa upbringing remained an important part of his life even after his military career took him away from the region.
Weber’s life later took him into the U.S. Air Force, where he developed a career in military aviation. His service became one of the defining parts of his biography, eventually leading him to become a Major and an experienced C-141 transport pilot.
After retiring from military service, Weber returned to Iowa before eventually moving to Leesburg, Florida. His obituary nevertheless continued to connect him with the Cumberland area where his story began.
Latest Update: September 30, 2026
As of September 30, 2026, Donald “Don” Weber’s death and obituary details have been verified through Lamb Funeral Homes and an obituary published through the Atlantic News Telegraph.
Weber died on March 8, 2026, at age 93. His obituary identifies him as a former Cumberland-area resident and a longtime U.S. Air Force veteran.
His funeral arrangements have since been announced. A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Cumberland, Iowa.
The available obituary identifies his surviving immediate family as his wife, Marilyn, and his son, Richard.
Early Life in Cumberland and Wiota
Donald Weber’s connection to southwestern Iowa began on the family farm north of Cumberland.
He grew up in the Wiota area, a small community in Cass County. His early years were rooted in the agricultural landscape of western Iowa, where family, school and community played an important role.
Weber attended Wiota High School and graduated from the school before beginning the next chapter of his life.
Although his adult career would take him around the country and into military aviation, the Cumberland and Wiota communities remained central to his personal history.
His obituary’s description of his Iowa roots helps explain why his final arrangements include a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Cumberland.
Marriage to Marilyn June Cook
On December 26, 1954, Donald Weber married Marilyn June Cook of Atlantic, Iowa.
The couple built their life together across more than seven decades. Their marriage began during the period when Weber was establishing his military career and continued through his retirement and later years in Iowa and Florida.
Marilyn survives him, according to the obituary. Their long marriage is one of the central personal details included in the published tribute.
The obituary also identifies their son, Richard, among Weber’s survivors.
Donald Weber’s U.S. Air Force Career
Weber enlisted in the United States Air Force on October 14, 1952.
His military service lasted 20 years, ending with his retirement on October 31, 1972. By the time he retired, he had reached the rank of Major.
His career covered a significant period in American military history. His service included the broader Cold War era as well as the periods associated with the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Weber’s work was particularly connected to military transportation and aviation. His progression from enlisted service to commissioned officer and Major reflected a long professional career within the Air Force.
Officer Candidate School and Military Aviation
A major turning point in Weber’s military career came in 1959, when he attended Officer Candidate School.
After completing the program, he became a transport pilot. His primary aircraft was the C-141 Starlifter, a military transport aircraft used by the Air Force for moving personnel and cargo.
Weber accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours during his aviation career. That amount of flight experience represents a substantial part of his two decades of military service.
The C-141 was an important aircraft in the Air Force’s strategic airlift system during the decades when Weber served. His work as a pilot placed him in a specialized role within the military.
A Career Spanning the Korean and Vietnam Eras
Weber’s military career began in 1952, only a few years after the start of the Korean War, and continued through the Vietnam era.
His obituary describes his service as spanning the Cold War and including the eras of both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. It does not provide a detailed list of individual deployments or missions, so those details have not been added here.
What is established is the length and nature of his service: Weber spent 20 years in the Air Force, advanced to Major and accumulated thousands of hours flying military transport aircraft.
That service became a defining part of the legacy remembered in his obituary.
Retirement From the Air Force
Donald Weber officially retired from the Air Force on October 31, 1972.
His retirement marked the end of two decades in military service. By then, he had developed extensive experience as a military pilot and had reached the rank of Major.
Following retirement, Weber returned to Iowa. His post-military years eventually included a move to Florida, where he later lived in Leesburg.
The transition from military aviation to civilian retirement marked another major chapter in his life, but his years in uniform remained an important part of how he was remembered.
Later Years in Iowa and Florida
After leaving the Air Force, Weber returned to Iowa before eventually relocating to Leesburg, Florida.
His later residence in Florida did not erase his connection to Iowa. The obituary identifies him as formerly of the Cumberland area and places his graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Cumberland.
That final connection to the community where he was born and raised provides continuity between the beginning and end of his life story.
Weber’s 93-year life therefore stretched from rural Cass County in Iowa to a long military career and later retirement years in Florida.
Family and Loved Ones
Family was a central part of Weber’s life. He married Marilyn June Cook in 1954, and the couple remained together for more than 70 years.
His obituary lists Marilyn as his surviving wife and Richard as his surviving son.
The available published obituary does not provide a larger list of grandchildren, siblings or extended relatives. Those names have therefore not been added without supporting information.
Weber’s obituary describes his life as one grounded in family, service and strong Midwestern values. Those themes connect his personal life with his military career and Iowa upbringing.
Character and Legacy
Donald Weber’s obituary describes him as someone who would be remembered for his dedication to his country, devotion to his family, quiet strength and warm sense of humor.
Those descriptions provide a more personal picture of Weber beyond his military rank and flight hours.
His military record demonstrates a long commitment to service, while his marriage and family life show another lasting part of his identity. His Iowa roots, meanwhile, remained visible in the community associated with his early life and final burial.
The combination of military service, family commitment and Midwestern roots forms the central theme of his published obituary.
Cause of Death
The available obituary does not state a specific cause of death for Donald Weber.
He died on March 8, 2026, at age 93, but no illness, medical condition or other cause is identified in the accessible obituary text.
Because no cause has been provided by the obituary, it would be inappropriate to speculate about the circumstances of his death.
Donald Weber’s Funeral and Graveside Service
A graveside service for Donald “Don” Weber is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The service will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, 67988 Quebec Road, Cumberland, Iowa 50843.
Lamb Funeral Homes of Greenfield is providing funeral services. The cemetery is located in the Cumberland area, connecting Weber’s final arrangements with the Iowa community where he was born and raised.
The published obituary does not indicate a separate public visitation or funeral ceremony before the graveside service.
Donald Weber Obituary Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Donald John Weber |
| Known as | Donald “Don” Weber |
| Born | May 3, 1932 |
| Birthplace | Farm north of Cumberland, Cass County, Iowa |
| Died | March 8, 2026 |
| Age | 93 |
| Parents | Wesley H. Weber and Helen (Hopkins) Weber |
| High school | Wiota High School |
| Wife | Marilyn June Cook Weber |
| Son | Richard Weber |
| Military branch | United States Air Force |
| Military service | October 14, 1952 – October 31, 1972 |
| Retirement rank | Major |
| Aircraft | C-141 Starlifter |
| Flight experience | More than 5,000 flight hours |
| Later residence | Leesburg, Florida |
| Cause of death | Not stated in the available obituary |
| Graveside service | October 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. |
| Service location | Greenwood Cemetery, Cumberland, Iowa |
| Funeral home | Lamb Funeral Homes – Greenfield |
Reader Questions
Who was Donald Weber?
Donald “Don” Weber was a former Cumberland-area resident and U.S. Air Force veteran. He served for 20 years, retired as a Major and flew C-141 Starlifter transport aircraft.
When did Donald Weber die?
Donald Weber died on March 8, 2026. He was 93 years old.
How old was Donald Weber?
Donald Weber was 93 when he died. He was born May 3, 1932, on a farm north of Cumberland, Iowa.
Where was Donald Weber born?
He was born on a farm north of Cumberland in Cass County, Iowa. He grew up in the Wiota area.
Who were Donald Weber’s parents?
His parents were Wesley H. Weber and Helen, whose maiden name was Hopkins. The family lived in the Cumberland and Wiota area.
Who was Donald Weber’s wife?
He married Marilyn June Cook of Atlantic, Iowa, on December 26, 1954. Marilyn survives him according to the obituary.
Did Donald Weber have children?
Yes. His obituary identifies his son as Richard Weber. No broader list of children is provided in the accessible obituary.
How long did Donald Weber serve in the Air Force?
He served for 20 years, enlisting on October 14, 1952, and retiring on October 31, 1972. He retired with the rank of Major.
What aircraft did Donald Weber fly?
After attending Officer Candidate School in 1959, Weber became a transport pilot and flew the C-141 Starlifter. He accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours during his military career.
Did Donald Weber serve during the Vietnam era?
Yes. His obituary says his military career spanned the Cold War and included the eras of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Where did Donald Weber live after retiring?
He returned to Iowa after retiring from the Air Force and later moved to Leesburg, Florida. His obituary identifies him as formerly of the Cumberland area.
What was Donald Weber’s cause of death?
The accessible obituary does not state a specific cause of death. He died on March 8, 2026, at age 93.
When is Donald Weber’s funeral?
A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Cumberland, Iowa.
Where will Donald Weber be buried?
His graveside service is scheduled at Greenwood Cemetery, located at 67988 Quebec Road in Cumberland, Iowa.
Wrap-Up
Donald “Don” Weber lived a 93-year life that connected rural Iowa roots with two decades of military aviation service. Born near Cumberland and raised in the Wiota area, he graduated from Wiota High School before embarking on a career that eventually took him into the U.S. Air Force.
His 20 years of service included becoming a transport pilot, flying C-141 Starlifters and accumulating more than 5,000 flight hours. He attended Officer Candidate School in 1959 and ultimately retired as a Major in 1972 after a career spanning the Cold War and the eras of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Outside the military, Weber’s life was defined by his family. He married Marilyn June Cook in 1954, and their marriage lasted more than seven decades. He is survived by Marilyn and their son, Richard.
Weber died March 8, 2026. His life will be remembered through his military service, his devotion to family and the Iowa community where his story began. His graveside service on October 2 at Greenwood Cemetery in Cumberland provides a final connection to the area where he was born and raised.
Disclaimer: This obituary article is based on the Lamb Funeral Homes obituary and corroborating published obituary records available as of September 30, 2026. The specific cause of Donald Weber’s death was not stated in the available obituary and has not been inferred. Family and military details have been limited to information supported by the published records.
