Woman fears release of man who allegedly killed father

Monica Lee Williams is afraid a Kalispell man accused of killing his father is going to walk free.

Williams is the former wife of 63-year-old Daniel Gerald Weldele, who died in an arson fire at Forest Hill Village Oct. 17, 2020.

Dan’s son, Jason David Weldele, 42, initially was charged with deliberate homicide. Investigators said some of the points of exit were blocked by pieces of furniture, preventing Dan Weldele, who needed a walker to move around, from escaping. An autopsy indicated he died of smoke inhalation.

Williams said Dan Weldele had six back surgeries and two open heart surgeries in the past.

On Jan. 20 the Flathead County Attorney’s Office amended the charge to criminal endangerment. A plea agreement between the accused and the state calls for a five-year suspended sentence. Weldele remains in the Flathead County Detention Center on $100,000 bail, but if District Judge Amy Eddy approves the deal, Weldele could be released from jail.

“If they let him out, they are giving him a license to do it again,” Williams said. “He murdered his father. Absolutely, I’m afraid for what he may do and I’m scared to death of him.

“My dad still lives in Kila and I live with my mom and stepdad, who are 82 and 90, in Idaho. Jason is just vindictive enough to come after us," Williams maintained.

Williams explained she knew the late Dan Weldele since second grade when they went to school together in the Flathead. Life’s paths took them in opposite directions, but Williams said after her third husband died in 2016, she reconnected with Dan in 2018 on social media.

“We started talking on Facebook, I moved here from Idaho and we later married,” Williams said.

She also said after she and Dan married, she moved into his trailer, where he later died.

“His son Jeff, her girlfriend and their daughter moved out after I moved in,” Williams said. “It just wasn’t big enough for everyone.”

Williams then learned she had lung cancer and began treatment. She then filed for divorce from Dan Weldele on May 25, 2020.

Williams said the family has had troubles, mostly revolving around drugs and alcohol. Both of Dan’s sons, Jason Weldele and Jeffrey Weldele, have criminal records.

Jason Weldele’s criminal past includes drug charges in 2006 and 2007 and an assault in 2006. He was also accused of assaulting a woman in 2016, but charges were later dropped.

Jeffrey Weldele’s record includes convictions for burglary, drug possession and passing bad checks.

“What I don’t want is Jason to get a slap on the wrist and set loose,” Williams said. “Jason had assaulted Dan before.”

Williams said because the plea deal calls for a suspended sentence without jail time, she has major concerns with what the future may hold for her and her family members.

“Do you think Jason is going to follow the rules?” Williams asked. “Hell no, he isn’t going to follow any guidelines.”

Jason Weldele’s sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.