ROCK FALLS – Beloved husband, father and grandfather Duane C. Wetzell passed away Thursday, April 26, 2012, at Anderson Hospital in Edwardsville.
He was born Feb. 1, 1925, to John Henry and Elizabeth Norman Wetzell. He married Virginia A. Johnson on April 2, 1944, in Long Beach, Calif. Together they raised four children, Joseph (Donna) Wetzell, Cynthia (Guy) Antley, Jeffrey (Linda) Wetzell and Rhonda (Kenny) McCracken. They have 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Dunn. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norman and Pete; sister, Rita; and grandchild, James Joseph.
Duane served as a naval Seabee pharmacist’s mate in World War II. After being discharged, he farmed with his wife for 50 years in Hume Township, eventually retiring to Rock Falls. He served on the Production Credit Association Board, the Riverdale and Crestview school boards, and the Rock Falls United Methodist Church Board. He belonged to the Elks and Yorktown Masonic Lodge and was a lifetime member of the American Legion.
He touched the hearts of everyone he met, and will be deeply missed by his family.
Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Ave., Rock Falls. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.
Memorials have been established to Rock Falls United Methodist Church and Parkinson Foundation.
