John Weir Obituary

John Milton Weir, 70, of Oquawka, Illinois, died at 7:25 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois.

John was born June 28, 1955, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of William R. and Jane (Bigger) Weir Sr. While in high school, John began working at WMOI Radio in Monmouth, Illinois.

He soon began working at WRAM, and in 1974 began his career at KBUR/KGRS in Burlington. In 1988, John and a business partner purchased the radio stations and operated them until John purchased the stations outright in 1996. In 1999, John retired and sold the business to Clear Channel.

John is survived by his mother, Jane, of Burlington; one sister, Peggy Williams of Macomb, Illinois; a niece, Martha Weir; and a nephew, Neil Weir.

Along with his father, John was preceded in death by one brother, William R. Weir Jr., in 1996.

John worked at Weir Fruit Farm with his family on and off his entire life. As a youth, he was a member of the 4-H Club and showed cattle. He loved living in Oquawka, boating on the Mississippi River, and spending many winters in Hawaii. John was a seasoned world traveler, visiting five different continents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, at Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Oquawka.

Private family graveside services will be at Biggsville Cemetery, Biggsville, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to Biggsville United Presbyterian Church or the South Henderson Church and Cemetery Association.

Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com