Clayton Weis praised for community involvement
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
For years, Clayton and Russell Weis worked side-by-side on a pair of family farms in the Town of Dover.
And for his entire life, Clayton loved Burlington – so much so that he gave back to the community at every opportunity.
“He was a terrific human being,” said Catholic Central High School football coach and athletic director Tom Aldrich, who got to know Clayton through one of his many acts of charity – driving a bus for Thomas Bus and CCHS athletics team.
“He was somebody that lived life, loved people and served others,” Aldrich added. “He would do anything for anybody.”
Clayton Weis died Friday after a piece of farm equipment fell on him and his brother while they were working on one of the two farms the brothers operated through Weis Brothers Farm.
Clayton died instantly, according to officials. Russell Weis was transported by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital, where he remained Tuesday.
Clayton Weis and his brother are third-generation farmers. Clayton lived in Burlington his entire life, taking over the farm that his father and grandfather ran at 4406 English Settlement Road.
Russell Weis later purchased the farm at 4505 English Settlement Road – across the street. The two brothers were working in a shed on that property Friday when the accident occurred.
Family members at Clayton’s farm issued a statement Tuesday acknowledging the great support they have received from the community.
“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the farming community has been amazing,” said Clayton’s children. “He was a selfless, genuine, loving father who will be missed dearly.”
He is survived by four children: Kelly, Eric, Crystal and Patrick.
One of his daughters said Clayton Weis had lived on the farm his entire life, working as a farmer.
But his reach into the Burlington community went further that that. He was an active member of St. Charles Catholic Church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was also a steady presence in the life of students at Catholic Central. Students were in the homecoming pep rally Friday afternoon while the situation unfolded out on the farm, and didn’t find out about the accident until after the pep rally ended.
An announcement was made just minutes before the start of the school’s homecoming football game Friday evening.
Former CCHS athletic director and now principal, Eric Henderson, categorized Clayton Weis as a good friend. In fact, he had visited the farm recently.
“We took (his son) Cooper for a combine ride during the last harvest,” Henderson said. “He was just a selfless man.”
When asked for a description of Clayton, Henderson said that he was a man who cared about others.
“What comes to mind when I think of Clayton, he was someone that put other people (first),” Henderson explained. “He would always be willing to serve a helping hand. Just a selfless act of love and grace.
“Our older kids who have built longer and deeper relationships with Clayton are taking it hard,” the principal added. “They knew what Clayton meant to the school and what the school meant to him.
“The Catholic Central community is very grateful for having Clayton be part of our lives and part of our CCHS family,” Henderson finished. “He has touched us in many ways.”
Aldrich went further.
“They love the guy,” Aldrich said. “He became a part of this family because he’s a genuine person.
“They cared about him and he cared about them.”
A funeral service was held Wednesday. A complete obituary appears on the obituaries tab of this site.
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