Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1517388
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM APRIL 2024 51 "Weibel was the life of the party that evening, exchanging his customary wit- ticisms with Kizer to the great delight of those present," a report said. The next day, Weibel was stricken with appendicitis. Complications oc- curred and on Feb. 17, he died of peri- tonitis. "Dr. Weibel failed to rally from an op- eration for appendicitis," noted a Pitts- burgh newspaper. "Fellow physicians made a gallant fight to save his life, three remaining constantly at his bed- side when his condition became grave. "His death marked the first break in the ranks of the eleven which carried the names of Notre Dame and Knute Rockne from coast to coast." And it was an eerie precursor of what was to happen the following month in eastern Kansas. "I am sorry to hear of the death of Johnny Weibel," Rockne said. "He was a fine, clean boy, a good student and a loyal friend, and he had a fine career ahead of him." Kizer called Weibel "one of the great- est pals I ever had … To his memory, I can pay only the highest of tribute. As a com- panion throughout my collegiate days and as a true friend since, he had earned my highest admiration and respect." At the funeral in Erie, among those bearing the casket were Layden, fellow Horseman Don Miller and Mules Walsh, and Joe Bach. "Beside the casket of their former teammate, these four bowed their heads in sincere grief and unhesitating tears came" it was reported. His funeral was called "probably the largest ever given a layman in this city." Nearly two dozen interns of Mercy Hospital, paying homage to their fel- low doctor, marched at the head of the funeral cortege. Weibel was eulogized for his character and accomplishments. For his Notre Dame teammates, little could they have imagined that they'd be gathered just a few weeks later to bid goodbye to their beloved coach. ✦ CLIPPING COURTESY THE LAKE SHORE VISITOR For more informa on, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org Throughout 2024, the Knute Rockne Memorial Society will remember and celebrate the centennial of the 1924 Notre Dame na onal champions, featuring Coach Rockne, The Four Horsemen and The Seven Mules. Watch for updates! Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jim@ndfootballhistory.com