John Charles Weidner

John Charles Weidner passed away on February 28, 2025, at the age of 80 in St. George, Utah. John was born May 17, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Bernardine Martha Hickel and Jacob Charles Weidner. He was raised in the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh in a loving, Catholic family with six brothers and one sister. John went to Holy Name Elementary, North Catholic High School, and graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. While in college, John met Rebecca Rice. They married May 20, 1967, in Rebecca’s hometown of Barberton, Ohio.

John’s career began in the early development of carbon fiber in the aerospace industry. He worked at Hercules Incorporated, Salt Lake City, Utah, Paris, France, and Wilmington, Delaware. While at Hercules, he worked on several projects for the U.S. Defense Department and NASA, including the Hubble Space Telescope. After a 25 year career at Hercules, he was President and General Manager of AAR Composites in Clearwater, Florida, President of Advanced Composites Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and founder and CEO of Vector in Dayton, Ohio. 

John was well-liked and respected throughout his career, retiring to St. George, Utah.  In his retirement, John enjoyed traveling, visiting vineyards, spending time with his family, and enjoying fine wine. John is survived by his wife Rebecca of 58 years, his son John Christian Weidner, daughter Michele Rene Edmisten and son-in-law Scott Edmisten; brothers David, Matthew, Martin, and Gregory, and sister Christine; sisters-in-law Nora, Jackie, and Loie Weidner; several nephews and nieces; and his beloved dog, Henry. 

John was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and older brother Bernard.

McArthur Funeral Home in St. George is handling the arrangements, including a private service in Ivins, Utah.