Mike Weter Jr. of Sparta, Missouri, died after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was 78 years old. Mike was born in Chadwick, Missouri. He joined the Air Force during the Korean War, and then returned to Springfield to finish college where he graduated from Southwest Missouri State, with a bachelor's degree in education. Later, he finished a Master's degree in education at Drury University. He began a teaching career in his home town of Chadwick. The following year he was hired by Springfield Public Schools. In 1963, Mike became a principal at Berry Elementary School. In the fall of 1965, he opened Guy A. Cowden Elementary School, and served there until retirement in 1986. Upon retiring, he became a proud farmer. Mike spent his life looking out for and loving children, many of whom will remember him as Mr. Weter. He was a faithful member of Union Hill Church of Christ of Nixa. He loved the outdoors, gardening, farming, hunting, fishing, motorcycling, and mushroom foraging, particularly with his children and grandchildren. Mike is survived by his wife, Sharon Weter of Sparta; a son, Michael L. Weter and his wife, Heather of Ozark; a daughter, Donna M. Weter of Sparta; a sister, Mary Coffer and her husband, Merrill of Ozark; grandchildren, Christopher and Clayton Willis of Sparta, Kerri and John Krivis of Glen Carbon, Ill., Jason and Jennifer Weter of Springfield, Mo., and Kelsey Ann Weter of Strafford; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A special adopted daughter, Renette Wardlow, also survives. Visitation will be Thursday, February 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Adams Funeral Home of Ozark. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, in Adams Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Chadwick Cemetery.