Rev. C. John Weborg

Rev. C. John Weborg, 88, of Princeton, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Allure of Walnut in Walnut, IL.

John was born on January 20, 1937, in Omaha, NE, the son of Reuben and Pearl (Olson) Weborg.  John’s life and vocation were deeply shaped by his upbringing on the family farm in Pender, NE, and also by contracting polio at the age of 15.  This disease left him paralyzed and forced him to learn how to walk all over again.  John married Lois Elaine Johnson on June 7, 1958 when he was serving as a pastoral intern at the Covenant Church in Lincoln, NE while finishing his education at the university. They moved to Chicago where John finished education at a theological seminary in 1961. Lois preceded him in death on February 16, 2021.

John pursued higher education and advanced degrees at North Park Junior College, the University of Nebraska, North Park Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary.  Later, he received his PhD in historical theology from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Northwestern University.  John served as a pastor of three churches in the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination, churches in Peoria, IL, Springhouse, PA, and Princeton, IL.  He then worked as a Professor of Theology at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL, from 1975-2003.

John was a beloved figure in the Evangelical Covenant Church.  His theology classes shaped an entire generation of Covenant pastors.  He was not only concerned with the theological grounding of his students, but also with the interior health of their souls.  He initiated practices in spiritual formation at the seminary that continue to this day.  In light of this legacy, in 2011, North Park Seminary renamed its Center for Spiritual Direction as the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction.

John was fascinated with trains especially steam engines; when traveling with family he traveled by train when possible. He enjoyed fishing, loved spending time with people and being a “Swede”.  In his retirement, John found ways to continue active ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton and in working as a chaplain at Freedom House.  He was also a longtime member of the Princeton Rotary Club and the Hymn Society.  His deepest delight was in time with his children and grandchildren, of whom he was so proud.

John is survived by his two children: Clement (Sharon) Weborg and Catherine (James) Allicks; six grandchildren, Cody Weborg, Shelby Weborg, Tyler Mecum, Casey (Joe) Starr, Jamie Allicks, and Lilly Allicks; two great-grandchildren, Isabella Eckberg-Weborg and Parker Starr; nieces: Gail (David), Deana (Mike), Nina (Chuck); nephew: Bill (Tamilla); and the late Linda Lane (Steve); nephew: Ben (Jennifer) Johnson and niece Andrea (David) Oliver; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents, Reuben and Pearl Weborg, and special aunt and uncle, Joe and Florence Weborg.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Princeton, IL. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton, IL with Pastor Derek Boggs and Pastor Alex Taylor co-officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Oakland Cemetery in Princeton. The service will also be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/cjohnweborgfuneral

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Freedom House in Princeton, IL or the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton, IL.