Born in Bellevue, Pa., he was the son of the late Harry S. and Belle Murphy Wetzel. Mr. Wetzel was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall University in Lancaster, Pa., and received his Ph.D. from Purdue University. &bsp;

He was first married to the late Alice Reisig Wetzel, who died in 1986. He retired from General Electric after 26 years of service&bsp; and moved to Polk County in 2000, coming from Hendersonville. Mr. Wetzel was a member of Columbus United Methodist Church, Columbus.

Surviving is his wife of 14 years, Earlene Thompson Wetzel; two daughters, Nancy Morehouse of Radford, Va., and Lynne W. Smith of Lincoln, Neb.; four stepchildren, Charlene Robley of Tumwater; Wash., Linda Zwarg, Jean Duhaime and Kathleen Olson, all of Spokane, Wash.. Also surviving are five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, eight step grandchildren and 13 step great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 in the auditorium of Tryon Estates, Columbus, with Rev. Rob Parsons, Rev. Tony Sayer and Rev. Ralph Kuether officiating.

Memorials may be made to Columbus United Methodist Church, 76 N. Peak Street, Columbus, N.C. 28722 or to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon, NC is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary