Calling hours, funeral to be held for Weller family killed in Howland plane crash

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YOUNGSTOWN Funeral arrangements have been announced for the four members of the Weller family who were killed in a plane crash in Howland Township on Sunday.

A representative for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown tells 21 News calling hours for Veronica, James Jr., John and Maria Weller will be held Saturday, July 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown followed by a funeral mass at 1 p.m.

The calling hours and funeral service are open to the public, but a burial following the funeral service will be private.

The Weller family owned Liberty Steel in Warren. Additionally, James Weller Jr.was the son of James Weller the first who at one point co-owned Sharon Speedway.

Veronica appeared on 21 News 10 years ago to speak about her book "Race Again, the Power of Faith and Family" detailing their journey after their son crashed during a race in Charlotte.

Several prominent figures in the Mahoning Valley mourned the loss of the Weller family including former 21 Sports anchor Mike Ackelson, the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, Youngstown State University and Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle.

In addition to the Wellers, pilots Joseph Maxin and Timothy Blake were killed in the crash. The two were set to be instructors at YSU's flight school. 

Maxin had previously served as an assistant prosecutor with the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor's Office also released a statement mourning the loss of Maxin.

You can read much more about the crash, the legacies of the victims and what those grieving their losses had to say about them in our related coverage below.

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