Francis William Wenzel

He was born in Springfield, July 12, 1922 the son of Frederick and June Wilson Wenzel. He married Laverda Thompson December 7, 1947. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Frederick and Robert Wenzel.

Mr. Wenzel attended Springfield Schools and Golden Gate College. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. From 1950 to 1967 he was Administrator and President of Springfield Clinic. He was Secretary-Treasurer of Capital Security Life Insurance Company from 1961 to 1967 and until 1975 owned and operated a chain of fabric stores known as the House of Fabrics.

He became affiliated with First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Springfield as a Director in 1972 and in 1975 he became Vice-President and Loan Officer and was President from 1976 until 1981 when First Federal merged with Bloomington Federal and retired in 1986.

Mr. Wenzel was active in many civic organizations including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Inter-Civic Club Council, Citizens Commitee for Public Schools,Citizens Commitee for Parks and Recreation, United Way of Sangamon County where he was past Director and Treasurer, Senior Citizens of Sangamon County, Senior Citizens Commision, Illini Country Club and the Sangamo Club where he served as Treasurer.

He was a member and served on the Administrative Board of Woodside United Methodist Church.He was Past-President, past-Secretary and current Treasurer of the Springfield Rotary Club and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

He is survived by his wife, Laverda; daughters Beth Anderson of Scottsdale,AZ. and Bonnie Frederickson of Milwaukee, WI.; granddaughters, Melissa Neitman and Jessica Anderson and three great grandchildren.

The family is being served by Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel where friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 7:00pm and where services will be held 11:00am Thursday April 10, 2008 with Rev. James Poole officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Woodside United Methodist Church, Lincoln Memorial Garden or to Rotary International Foundation. Please visit the on-line obituary at www.boardman-smith.net.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------