Junette Marie (Viola) DeWeese, 81, a life-long resident of Abilene, passed away peacefully on August 30th, 2024 at the Village Manor long-term care facility surrounded by family. She was born April 24, 1943, the daughter of William “Gig” and Leone Viola. During her childhood years, June spent much of her time in the Viola stores with her grandparents, Ralph and Mattie Viola, along with several aunts, uncles and cousins serving the Abilene community. Those years with the Viola family were very formative for June and led her to a lifetime of service above self.
After graduating from Abilene High School in 1961, June earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas University and later earned a master’s degree from Kansas State University. June was married to Perry DeWeese and welcomed three boys, Doug, Dustin and Dane into the family. The boys were the joy of June’s life.
June dedicated 30+ years to the well-being of students in the Chapman School District, most of those years teaching Journalism and Language Arts for Chapman High School. She was passionate about the success of her students. Throughout her career, she was nominated numerous times for the Kansas State High School Teacher of the Year award, was selected as the 1997 CHS Teacher of The Year, and was chosen for the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press’s Jackie Engle Award. Because of her guidance, numerous students went on to career paths in state-wide and national journalism fields.
After retiring from teaching in 2000, June continued to follow her passion of service to families in need and became the Executive Director of the Dickinson County Red Cross. In 2002, June and her sister, Joyce (Viola) Dana, created the Eisenhower Marathon to raise funds in support of children and families in need. The first race was held in April 2003 with the assistance of numerous Viola family members. The event continues to this day and has received much state and national attention.
In 2007, June sensed a forthcoming consolidation of the Dickinson County Red Cross into a larger chapter and formed the nonprofit organization Kids In Crisis (KIC) to continue her commitment to children and families in need, and in memory of her grandson, Kaidric DeWeese. For the next 15 years she devoted most waking hours to the organization until retiring one last time in 2022.
During June’s leadership of Kids In Crisis, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised to support Dickinson County children in need via the annual back to school backpack program and many other events organized to provide food, supplies and other forms of direct support to children and families facing urgent needs.
June is survived by her three sons; Doug, Dustin and wife, Michelle, and Dane and wife, Megan; grandchildren Courtney, Briahna, Paisley, Kaicen, Blaiten, Randa, Tylar, Layne, Josey, Nicolas and Jace; and her niece, Melissa (Dana) Saberhagen.
June’s only wish at her passing was that her life be honored via support of Kids In Crisis. The family of this amazing, selfless member of our community encourages everyone who was positively impacted by June’s service to others….to simply contribute as you are able to this amazing organization, Kids In Crisis c/o Pinnacle Bank, 401 N. Spruce St., Abilene, Kansas 67410.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 12th, 4:00 PM at the First Christian Church, 612 N. Buckeye in Abilene, Jason Kohler, Lead Minister officiating.
“God has not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love”