Weathers Funeral Home

A strengthening U.S. dollar is knocking down international sales because of currency translation effects, inflation from raw materials and tariffs is pushing up costs, and weak industry demand in North America is creating challenges in the company's core market.  Despite these headwinds, Whirlpool was able to put together a solid first quarter. The company did miss analysts estimates for revenue, but it produced better-than-expected earnings and reiterated its full-year profit expectations. The company generates about $21 billion in annual sales, employs more than 90,000 people and in 2018, boasted 65 manufacturing and technology research centers. Its appliance brands include Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir and Indesit, and it sells its products around the world. Whirlpool operates in a cyclical industry, with its fortunes tied to the prevailing economy. It depends on a strong housing market and strong demand for home renovations. Additional tariffs beyond those already announced could also derail the bottom line. With those risks in mind, even though it might be a bumpy ride, Whirlpool still looks like a solid long-term investment. Its dividend, which recently yielded 3.5%, is likely to keep being paid through economic upturns and downturns.Ask the Fool From N.S. in Gainesville, Fla.: Can you explain what a company's chief financial officer does? The Fool responds: A chief financial officer, such as General Motors' Dhivya Suryadevara, Microsoft's Amy Hood or JPMorgan Chase's Jennifer A. Piepszak, oversees all financial matters, determining the company's current and future financial needs and how to most effectively finance them. The CFO sets and maintains the "capital structure" — the company's mix of debt financing and stock financing. Other duties include overseeing the forecasting and budgeting process, managing relationships with funding sources such as banks, maintaining the company...

Monday, May 27, 2019 at Alton Memorial Hospital.  Born May 13, 1936 in Great Bend, KS, he was the son of Herman and Josephine (Waller) Weathers.  He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey where he was a choir member.  He played football in high school and for Doane College in Crete, Nebraska.  He attended graduate school at George Williams College in Chicago.  In 2001 he retired as director for the Alton Park and Recreation.  Mr. Weathers was a great family man.  He enjoyed yearly family vacations and daily board games.  He took each grandchild to see the aquarium in Chicago at the age of five.  He loved to read John Grisham books and go to the movies as well as The Muny.  Tom loved tennis, golf, hiking, woodcarving, and enjoyed playing the guitar. After his children were raised, he and his wife traveled extensively with his favorite trips being to Alaska and The Holy Land.  On August 29, 1964 he married the former Mechthild “Mickey” Prawdzik in Boston, Massachusetts.  She survives.  Also surviving are two daughters, Andrea (Dr. George) Rotramel of Tuscola, IL, and Monika (Todd) Sherman of Nixa, MO, six grandchildren, Rachel (Darren) Timlin, Michael Rotramel, Sam Sherman, Isaac Sherman, Elizabeth Sherman, and Abigail Sherman, one great grandson, Gabriel Timlin, and one sister, Janie Warnken of Hutchinson, KS.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Weathers and a sister, Virginia Schneider.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:00 noon Friday, May 31, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey.  Reverend Daniel Speckhard will officiate.  Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey with full military honors by the VFW Post 1308.  Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or KFUO Radio Station.  Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.  Online guestbook and inf...