Obituary for Lewis Fredrick Wetzel
Lewis Fredrick Wetzel, 92, of Curwensville, passed away Tuesday March 28, 2017 at his residence after a lengthy illness.
Born May 5, 1924 in Clearfield, he was the son of Charles A. and Nellie (McCracken) Wetzel. Mr. Wetzel had first been employed by Harbison-Walker Refractories in Clearfield for 10 years and was retired from North American Refractories Co. (NARCO) in Curwensville after 33 years of service. He was a U S Army Air Corp veteran of World War II and was drafted in 1943, serving in the 8th Air Wing. He was a waist gunner on a B-17 Bomber flying 33 missions including D-Day and was shot down over Poland and spent time in a P.O.W. Camp.
He and his wife had served as chaperones for the Curwensville Teen Center for 18 years, was a member of the Curwensville United Methodist Church where he had served as a teacher, on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees as well as several other boards, was a member of the choir and for several years was the choir director, participated in the church’s annual “Search for Peace” for 50 years and also was a member of the Curwensville Town Choir.
He was a member of the former Curwensville I.O.O.F., was a member of and past Master of Noble Lodge #480 F. & A. M. of Curwensville, was a member of the Coudersport Consistory was a life member of the Curwensville VFW, the Curwensville American Legion and the Curwensville Rescue Hose and Ladder Co. He was a former member and past state president of the National Campers and Hikers Association and Keystone Travel Trailer Club and the Order of United Commercial Travelers of America. Along with Jack Thurstin, Gordon Graham and Gene Tubbs they made up the Wonders Quartet and they sang at various churches and other venues for over 40 years.
He also served as a cub scout, scout and Explorer Leader and was the 2002 recipient of the Silver Beaver Award (Scouting’s highest honor bestowed on a volunteer) and was a member of the Order of the Arrow.
On November 29, 1943 at the Curwensville Methodist Church, he wed the former Helen Althea “Sis” Kelly who preceded him in death on April 23, 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters Phoebe Thurstin, Ida Belle Frantz and Mildred Gearhart and 3 brothers John, Gayle and Wallace Wetzel.
Surviving are 2 children: William F. Wetzel Sr. and wife Connie and Cheryl L. Johnston and husband Roger both of Curwensville, and 5 grandsons William Wetzel Jr. and wife Carrie, Bryan Wetzel, Roger Johnston Jr., Erick Johnston and wife Kristie and Kent Johnston and wife Kelsey.
Also surviving are 10 great grandchildren: Mark Iversen, Wyatt Wetzel, Cole Wetzel, Carolann Johnston, Jaylynn Johnston, Henry Johnston, Scarlett Johnston, Megan Young, Grace Young and Nora Young and a brother Millard Wetzel of Coral City, FL
Funeral Services for Mr. Wetzel will be held at the Curwensville United Methodist Church 602 State Street Curwensville on Saturday April 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Dr. Robert S. Ludrowsky officiating. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Curwensville.
Friends will be received at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. in Curwensville on Friday March 31, 2017 from 2 to 8 PM and again at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services. Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by members of the DuBois Honor Guard. Noble Lodge #480 F. & A.M. will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service Friday at 6:00 PM.
The family suggests contributions be made to either the Curwensville United Methodist Church 602 State Street Curwensville, PA 16833 or the Penn Highlands Hospice 100 Hospital Avenue DuBois, PA 15801.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born May 5, 1924 in Clearfield, he was the son of Charles A. and Nellie (McCracken) Wetzel. Mr. Wetzel had first been employed by Harbison-Walker Refractories in Clearfield for 10 years and was retired from North American Refractories Co. (NARCO) in Curwensville after 33 years of service. He was a U S Army Air Corp veteran of World War II and was drafted in 1943, serving in the 8th Air Wing. He was a waist gunner on a B-17 Bomber flying 33 missions including D-Day and was shot down over Poland and spent time in a P.O.W. Camp.
He and his wife had served as chaperones for the Curwensville Teen Center for 18 years, was a member of the Curwensville United Methodist Church where he had served as a teacher, on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees as well as several other boards, was a member of the choir and for several years was the choir director, participated in the church’s annual “Search for Peace” for 50 years and also was a member of the Curwensville Town Choir.
He was a member of the former Curwensville I.O.O.F., was a member of and past Master of Noble Lodge #480 F. & A. M. of Curwensville, was a member of the Coudersport Consistory was a life member of the Curwensville VFW, the Curwensville American Legion and the Curwensville Rescue Hose and Ladder Co. He was a former member and past state president of the National Campers and Hikers Association and Keystone Travel Trailer Club and the Order of United Commercial Travelers of America. Along with Jack Thurstin, Gordon Graham and Gene Tubbs they made up the Wonders Quartet and they sang at various churches and other venues for over 40 years.
He also served as a cub scout, scout and Explorer Leader and was the 2002 recipient of the Silver Beaver Award (Scouting’s highest honor bestowed on a volunteer) and was a member of the Order of the Arrow.
On November 29, 1943 at the Curwensville Methodist Church, he wed the former Helen Althea “Sis” Kelly who preceded him in death on April 23, 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters Phoebe Thurstin, Ida Belle Frantz and Mildred Gearhart and 3 brothers John, Gayle and Wallace Wetzel.
Surviving are 2 children: William F. Wetzel Sr. and wife Connie and Cheryl L. Johnston and husband Roger both of Curwensville, and 5 grandsons William Wetzel Jr. and wife Carrie, Bryan Wetzel, Roger Johnston Jr., Erick Johnston and wife Kristie and Kent Johnston and wife Kelsey.
Also surviving are 10 great grandchildren: Mark Iversen, Wyatt Wetzel, Cole Wetzel, Carolann Johnston, Jaylynn Johnston, Henry Johnston, Scarlett Johnston, Megan Young, Grace Young and Nora Young and a brother Millard Wetzel of Coral City, FL
Funeral Services for Mr. Wetzel will be held at the Curwensville United Methodist Church 602 State Street Curwensville on Saturday April 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Dr. Robert S. Ludrowsky officiating. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Curwensville.
Friends will be received at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. in Curwensville on Friday March 31, 2017 from 2 to 8 PM and again at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services. Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by members of the DuBois Honor Guard. Noble Lodge #480 F. & A.M. will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service Friday at 6:00 PM.
The family suggests contributions be made to either the Curwensville United Methodist Church 602 State Street Curwensville, PA 16833 or the Penn Highlands Hospice 100 Hospital Avenue DuBois, PA 15801.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Lewis Fredrick Wetzel, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
31
Mar
2:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Service
Friday
31
Mar
6:00 PM
- 6:20 PM
Chidboy Funeral Home - Curwensville
300 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Noble Lodge #480 F. & A. M. Masonic Memorial Services
Visitation
Saturday
1
Apr
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
Curwensville United Methodist Church
602 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Service
Saturday
1
Apr
11:00 AM
- 11:45 AM
Curwensville United Methodist Church
602 State Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Funeral Services
Cemetery Details
Location
Oak Hill Cemetery
Thompson Street
Curwensville, PA 16833
Memorial Contribution
Penn Highlands Hospice
100 Hospital Avenue
DuBois, PA 15801
DuBois, PA 15801
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