George Charles Wetzel

George Charles Wetzel

March 20, 1935 - Jan. 26, 2017

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- George Charles Wetzel, 81, of Corvallis, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

George was born March 20, 1935, in McCook, Neb., to Leon Seaver and Freda Bell Scharf Wetzel. He grew up in Curtis, Neb., where he attended the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture and met his future wife, Joan Hathaway. George and Joan were married on Sept. 15, 1956, in Lincoln, Neb.

George attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science. Following graduation, George did his mortuary internship with Johnson Funeral Home in Kearney, Neb. George and Joan moved to Valentine, where he worked for Watts Funeral Home. The couple returned to Curtis in 1960, where he joined his father at Wetzel Funeral Home and International Harvester dealership, where between them, they provided funeral services for a total of 70 years. George and Joan raised their family in Curtis and were an integral part of the community.

George was instrumental in the founding of the Frontier County Ambulance Service and was on the ambulance board. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT. He was on City Council, the Library Board and the Star Theater board. He was also active in the Curtis Easter Pageant from its inception, portraying Judas for many years, then directed the Living Pictures for several years. He enjoyed being part of the Curtis Fall Festival, was an active member of the United Methodist Church, helping build the new church. He also helped with the construction of Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course. George was a Mason and an Elk.

He was an avid golfer, gardener and reader.

George was preceded in death by his sister, Wilma; brother-in-law, Dale Rust and brothers-in-law, Wayne and Turner Hathaway.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Hathaway Wetzel; his children, Diane, Martin (Sharon Hammer) and LeeAnn (Donna Strigle); and grandchildren, William, Olivia and Eva.

The funeral service will take place this summer, because as George said, January funerals are too dang cold. He was a gentle, funny and a loving man, and will be missed. A lot.

Memorial contributions are to go to the Curtis Public Library.

Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of services.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.