Carl L. Wetzel, age 85, of Tamaroa, formerly of Pitman, PA, died on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021 at 10:30 p.m. at his home.
As per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A private inurnment will be held in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum with military rites accorded by the United States Air Force. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mr. Wetzel was born on July 10, 1936, in Pitman, PA, a son of Albert A. and Sarah (Smith) Wetzel. He married Antoinette Thomas on Jan. 4, 1957, in San Juan, Puerto Rico and she survives.
Mr. Wetzel answered the call of his nation, proudly serving in the armed forces for 20 years. For three years, he served in the United States Army, and for 17 years he served in the United States Air Force. During his career, he worked as a nurse anesthetist at multiple Air Force bases, the V.A. Medical Center in Marion, Sunbury Community Hospital in Sunbury, PA, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA and for a number of years for Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin until he retired.
Mr. Wetzel enjoyed many hobbies, including gunsmithing and leather-working. He made bridles, saddles and buggies. He especially enjoyed participating in Fort de Charte rendezvous re-enactments. He was a member of American Legion Post #647 in DuQuoin, Goshen Trail Long Rifles, the N.R.A., the A.T.A. and Rend Lake Flying Club.
In addition to his wife of nearly 65 years, he is survived by one daughter, Beckie (Scott) Fluegel of Murphysboro; two sons, Scott Wetzel (Debbie Planty) of Texico and Bart (Susan) Wetzel of Hillsboro; 11 grandchildren, Laura (Curtis, Sr.) Hubbard, Bradley Diedrick (Abbie Wesley), Lindsey Diedrick, Sara Fluegel (Collin Heseman), Lauren (Chase) Pledger, Kristin Wetzel (Corey Woerner), Tyler Wetzel, Joshua Wetzel (Alexandria Narez), Emily Wetzel (Eric Fuchs), Austin (Kelly) Clark, and Dillon (Elizabeth) Clark; six great-grandchildren, Caybren Hubbard, Curtis Hubbard, Jr., Liam Diedrick, Zoe Diedrick, Autumn Clark, Jayden Clark and one on the way, Rori Diedrick; two sisters, Barbara (George) Kline of The Villages, FL and Alice Kissinger of Pitman, PA; one brother, Thomas Wetzel of Sunbury, PA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Mr. Wetzel was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Roy Kissinger, Robert and Jacqueline Anderson and Gwen Wetzel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Clement Scholarship in Nursing Fund for anesthesia students’ tuition. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home, 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois 62966.
