Who was Jim Weller? Steel tycoon, family killed in Ohio plane crash
Weller, 67, owned Liberty Steel Industries. He was flying with his wife Veronica, 68, their son John, 36, and John's wife Maria, 34. They had just left Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport at 6:53 am on Sunday.
The plane crashed less than seven minutes later - only two miles away - into a wooded backyard near a home. The pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, were also killed. Maxin was an experienced flier and a former assistant prosecutor in Mahoning County. Who was Jim Weller?
The Weller family was known across northeast Ohio—not just for their business but also for their ties to the racing world.
Jim's father started Liberty Steel in 1965. The company went on to become a key supplier in the region. Jim was also a major part of Sharon Speedway's racing scene. He won 36 races in the Big Block Modified division and was a two-time track champion, per the outlet.
Sharon Speedway shared their heartbreak in a statement: 'We are deeply saddened. His late father, Jim Weller Sr., co-owned the speedway from 2002 to 2024.'
Ohio plane crash under investigation
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are looking into what caused the crash. The FAA is also helping. A preliminary report is expected later in July.
According to 19 News, Fire Chief Raymond Pace called it the deadliest crash the area has seen. The plane reportedly hit a densely wooded area, making rescue efforts more difficult.
Aviation expert Mike Hillman told the network, 'These were the best of the best. I wish we could turn back time and take them to breakfast instead.'
Local community mourn Jim Weller's death
The crash has shaken the local community. The Wellers were known for their generosity and strong family values. People who knew them are sharing memories and making plans to honour their legacy. Friends say they were the kind of people who quietly helped others and stayed grounded, even with all their success.
'These were the best of the best in terms of the folks here at the field as well as the pilots and I can't say enough about them and give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead,' aviation expert Mike Hillman told News 19.
ALSO READ: Did American Idol winner Jamal Roberts reject key to city of Laurel? Here's what we know about death threats
FAQs
Q1. Who was James 'Jim' Weller?
A1. Jim Weller was a steel tycoon from Ohio and the owner of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., a company founded by his father in 1965.
Q2. What caused the plane crash involving the Weller family?
A2. The exact cause is still under investigation by the NTSB and FAA. A preliminary report is expected later in July.
Q3. Were there any survivors in the crash?
A3. No. All six people on board - Jim Weller, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two pilots - died in the crash.
Q4. Where did the plane crash occur?
A4. The crash happened less than two miles from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, in a wooded backyard in Howland Township, Ohio.
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India Today
5 hours ago
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Who was Jim Weller? Liberty Steel businessman killed in Ohio plane crash
A tragic plane crash in northeast Ohio has left a community in mourning after six lives were lost just minutes after takeoff. Among the victims were well-known businessman James 'Jim' Weller, his wife Veronica, their son John, and daughter-in-law Maria. The family was en route to Bozeman, Montana, for a holiday when their twin-engine Cessna 441 turboprop went down shortly after departing from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport at 6:53 a.m. on crash took place less than seven minutes after takeoff, only about two miles from the airport. The aircraft slammed into a heavily wooded area near a residential neighbourhood, killing everyone on pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63, of Canfield, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, of Hubbard, also perished in the crash. The plane was registered to Meander Air LLC of Warren, Ohio. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are now investigating what led to the Was Jim Weller? James 'Jim' Weller, 67, was not only a successful businessman but also a beloved figure in Ohio's racing scene. He was the owner of Liberty Steel Industries, a company originally founded by his father in 1965. Under Jim's leadership, the company became a key supplier in the region, reinforcing his family's reputation as respected industrialists in northeast beyond the boardroom, Jim Weller had a passion for motorsports. He was a fixture at Sharon Speedway, where he left a lasting legacy as both a racer and a supporter. Weller competed in the Big Block Modified division, winning 36 races and capturing two track championships. His father, Jim Weller Sr., had co-owned Sharon Speedway from 2002 until earlier this year, solidifying the family's deep connection to local Weller family was known for more than their business and sporting achievements. Friends and community members describe them as generous, humble, and always willing to lend a helping hand. 'They were the kind of people who quietly helped others,' said one friend. Aviation expert Mike Hillman, who spoke at a press conference following the crash, reflected on the loss: 'These were the best of the best I'd give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead.'As the investigation continues, the Weller family's impact on their community, in business, sports, and personal generosity, is being remembered with deep respect and sorrow. Their legacy, say those who knew them, will not soon be forgotten.- Ends
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
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Who was Jim Weller? Steel tycoon, family killed in Ohio plane crash
A plane crash in Ohio claimed the lives of businessman James 'Jim' Weller, his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. The family was heading to Bozeman, Montana, for a vacation when their plane went down just minutes after takeoff, according to The New York Post. Workers are pictured in front of a jet at the Youngstown - Warren Regional Airport in Vienna, Ohio, Monday, June 30, 2025, where a day earlier a plane crashed on take off killing all onboard. (AP) Weller, 67, owned Liberty Steel Industries. He was flying with his wife Veronica, 68, their son John, 36, and John's wife Maria, 34. They had just left Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport at 6:53 am on Sunday. The plane crashed less than seven minutes later - only two miles away - into a wooded backyard near a home. The pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, were also killed. Maxin was an experienced flier and a former assistant prosecutor in Mahoning County. Who was Jim Weller? The Weller family was known across northeast Ohio—not just for their business but also for their ties to the racing world. Jim's father started Liberty Steel in 1965. The company went on to become a key supplier in the region. Jim was also a major part of Sharon Speedway's racing scene. He won 36 races in the Big Block Modified division and was a two-time track champion, per the outlet. Sharon Speedway shared their heartbreak in a statement: 'We are deeply saddened. His late father, Jim Weller Sr., co-owned the speedway from 2002 to 2024.' Ohio plane crash under investigation Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are looking into what caused the crash. The FAA is also helping. A preliminary report is expected later in July. According to 19 News, Fire Chief Raymond Pace called it the deadliest crash the area has seen. The plane reportedly hit a densely wooded area, making rescue efforts more difficult. Aviation expert Mike Hillman told the network, 'These were the best of the best. I wish we could turn back time and take them to breakfast instead.' Local community mourn Jim Weller's death The crash has shaken the local community. The Wellers were known for their generosity and strong family values. People who knew them are sharing memories and making plans to honour their legacy. Friends say they were the kind of people who quietly helped others and stayed grounded, even with all their success. 'These were the best of the best in terms of the folks here at the field as well as the pilots and I can't say enough about them and give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead,' aviation expert Mike Hillman told News 19. ALSO READ: Did American Idol winner Jamal Roberts reject key to city of Laurel? Here's what we know about death threats FAQs Q1. Who was James 'Jim' Weller? A1. Jim Weller was a steel tycoon from Ohio and the owner of Liberty Steel Industries Inc., a company founded by his father in 1965. Q2. What caused the plane crash involving the Weller family? A2. The exact cause is still under investigation by the NTSB and FAA. A preliminary report is expected later in July. Q3. Were there any survivors in the crash? A3. No. All six people on board - Jim Weller, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two pilots - died in the crash. Q4. Where did the plane crash occur? A4. The crash happened less than two miles from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, in a wooded backyard in Howland Township, Ohio.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
6 killed in a crash of a small plane in Ohio, officials say
Six people were killed when a small plane crashed minutes after taking off from an Ohio airport, officials said. The twin-engine Cessna 441 turboprop crashed near Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport on Sunday (June 30, 2025) morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There were no survivors in the crash, Western Reserve Port Authority Executive Director Anthony Trevena said at a news conference. The agency owns the airport. Agency records show the plane was registered to Meander Air LLC of Warren, Ohio. Trumbull County Coroner Lawrence D'Amico on Monday identified the victims as the pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63; co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55; and passengers Veronica Weller, 68; her husband, James Weller, 67; their son, John Weller, 36, and his wife, Maria Weller, 34. Blake and the passengers were all Hubbard residents, while Maxin lived in Canfield. D'Amico said the family — which owns steel manufacturing plants in the Youngstown-Warren area — was heading for a vacation in Montana. Maxin was the port authority's director of compliance and also a former assistant prosecutor for the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office. A statement issued by the authority called Maxin 'a selfless public servant and pilot (who) dedicated his life to serving the Mahoning Valley." It was difficult to get to the site of the crash in a heavily wooded area, Howland Township Fire Chief Raymond Pace said. 'This is an extremely tragic situation, but it could have been worse,' Pace said, noting that there were three houses near the spot where the plane crashed. Publicly available flight tracking data showed that the plane's destination was Bozeman, Montana, said Michael Hillman, president of aviation company JETS FBO Network. 'These were the best of the best in terms of the folks here at the field, as well as the pilots. I can't say enough about them,' Hillman said at the news conference. 'I'd give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead.' The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
