OREGON — Douglas Louis Wean entered eternal life on Thursday, June 20th in Oregon, IL
He was born March 29, 1948, the son of Charles and Dorothy Wean. He graduated from Mt. Morris High School, Class of ’66 and was a Mounder through and through. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and after boot camp trained with the U.S. Marine Corps to become a Navy Corpsman. In June of 1968, he was sent to Vietnam and served as the battery corpsman with a Marine artillery unit in I-Corps, KILO Battery, 4th Battalion, 12th Marines. He was awarded many medals including a Silver Star, for gallantry in action, for treating and saving “his” Marine’s lives putting his own safety at risk and earned a Purple Heart. His last tour of duty was with NATO Forces/U.S. Embassy Staff in Edzell, Scotland. On August 26, 1972, Doug and Vicki James were united in marriage at the Christian Church in Mt. Morris, IL. They were blessed with two sons, Dan and Jeff. Doug received his Radiologic Technology degree and was hired by the V.A. Hospital in Hines, IL where he worked and cared for veterans for 30 years until his retirement in 2003. He co-authored a textbook which was used for the students he trained and at colleges throughout the country and overseas. He had a passion for helping veterans and celebrating them. Doug and Vic moved back “home” in 2003 where they enjoyed “reuniting” with childhood friends and meeting new ones. In 1987, Doug and Vic began searching for and finding “those good men” he served with in Vietnam. The first Kilo/4/12 reunion was held in Chicago in 1989 and continued annually for 30 years, taking us coast to coast. These gatherings were one of Doug’s greatest joys.
In 2003, Doug and Vic took the trip of a lifetime to Vietnam. Led by a professor at St. Olaf College, we began in Hanoi and over weeks traveled to the Mekong Delta. A Kilo comrade and his wife were with us. It was a beautiful and healing trip for Doug and his former Lt. Doug and Vic made yearly trips to Maui, where they “accumulated” new friends who spent time together year after year, making so many wonderful memories. Our family vacations, when the boys were young, took us to “Uncle Bill’s” for a week of fishing and gardening and collecting eggs – a taste of country living. As a family, we traveled to the Kilo reunions, all over the country, stopping to see the sights along the way. Doug was a member of American Legion Post 143, Mt. Morris, lifetime member of the VFW, member of Plainview Cemetery board, member of Disciples United Methodist Church, serving on several committees over the years. He was a frequent speaker at Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, sharing stories of our Mt. Morris military heroes. He was a life-long and long-suffering Chicago Bears fan. Game days were loud with shouts, clapping and moaning. He enjoyed photography and became involved with the Field’s Project soon after moving to Oregon. His beautiful photos were shared with many. He also loved to fish, although he didn’t squeeze that in often enough in retirement. Above all, his family was the most important part of his life. He was so incredibly proud of his sons. Doug had a wicked sense of humor and twinkling blue eyes. Everyone loved hearing his distinct, one of a kind laugh. Doug was predeceased by his parents and brothers Charles Sr. and Jim. Doug is survived by his loving wife Vicki, sons Dan and Jeff, his special daughter-in-law Daniele and his beautiful granddaughters Liliana and Vivian. Also left to mourn is his “adopted” family Barry, Paula and granddaughter of the heart Alyson Johnson. Doug’s furry cat Buddy will miss his nap times with “Daddy”.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, June 27th at Disciples United Methodist Church (102 Maple Ave, Mt. Morris, IL) at 11 am. With Pastor Marcia Peddicord officiating. A luncheon/visitation will follow at the church.
Memorials may be directed to DUMC or the Mt. Morris Community Library Foundation.
