Weber family shows compassion and inspires others

Nolan Weber inspired many people in his short life. The 16-year-old Jackson high school student was an athlete and a person of faith in God and had a positive attitude.

Even during his battle with brain cancer, Weber lived his life. The Jackson community and others rallied around him. The affliction eventually took him from this world, but his memory, through a new foundation created by his family, lives on.

A story last month by Southeast Missourian reporter Tyler Graef captured the deep faith and compassion of the Weber family. Dean and Rachelle Weber, parents of Nolan and their younger son Colten, started the "Believing Beyond" Foundation. Belief is core to this family. As they recalled in the story, their Pastor Tommy Weems told the family as Nolan was ill to "stop hoping, stop wishing and start believing." And believing is exactly what this family continues to do.

The family recently held the Nolan Weber Believers 5k and Fun Run in Jackson. They hope to hold other events to also benefit the foundation. The purpose is to help families with a child battling cancer or other illness through financial, spiritual and emotional support. It's something Nolan wanted. To help others.

We're inspired by the Weber family. They have faced the most challenging thing for any parent, the death of a child. Despite the hurt that remains, their faith keeps them moving forward and looking for opportunities to help others. We appreciate their compassion, offer our prayers for them, and thank the family and their supporters for creating this foundation to help others.