Henry J Wetzel

Henry J. Wetzel, 96, of Columbus died 4:40 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2018, at Four Seasons Health Care Center. Henry was born in Rockport, the son of Henry J. and Laura Ann Hamilton Wetzel. He married Betty Evans April 24, 1943 in Waukegan, Illinois; she preceded him in death November 25, 2006. He was a charter member of Asbury United Methodist Church, and was maintenance supervisor at First Christian Church for 14 years, retiring in 1984. He was proud to have served his country, beginning in the Rushville High School Honor Guard in 1937. From 1942 to 1945, he was in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Tuscaloosa in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea and later in the Pacific. From 1958 to 1974, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, fully retiring in 1981 as an E-8 MSGT. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, music and his grandchildren and was a self-do-it person. He is survived by sons, Dallas (Pam) Wetzel of Columbus and Randall Wetzel of Chickaloon, Alaska; grandchildren, Christine (Stacy) Baker of Columbus and Brian (Rob Gijsen) Wetzel of England; great grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Tuttle, Mirana (Kyle Whipker) Yeley and Ethan (Rachel George) Yeley; great-great-grandchildren, Carter and Charlotte Tuttle; and companion, Betty Nichols of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Jeffery Wetzel; brother, Charles N. Wetzel. A funeral service will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Myers~Reed Chapel on 25th Street with Rev. Ed Boston officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to service time. Burial will follow at Mount Aerie Cemetery at Letts Corner with military rites by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-reed.com. Memorials may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or American Legion Post No. 24.