Johnny Wetzel

Johnny Bill Wetzel, 54, of Winterset, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2009 after a valiant 3 ½ year battle with prostate cancer at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. John was born November 27, 1954 in Winterset, Iowa, the son of Chancy and Mayola (DeBok) Wetzel. John grew up in the Patterson area and graduated from Winterset High School in 1973. He drove a semi for Ben Shinn Trucking for several years and for the past five years he worked for Corell Contractor of West Des Moines as an equipment operator. John was a member of the Local 234 Operators Union. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and racing his stock car. John drove in the hobby stock class at the Boone and Stuart Speedways. John will be deeply missed by his brother, Jim Wetzel and wife, Terri of Winterset; his sister, Connie Songer and husband, Ed of Patterson; a daughter, Brittany Wetzel of Colfax; a son, Jeremy Pagel and family of New Providence; a nephew, Brian Wetzel and wife, Tiffanie (Abigail) of Winterset; and niece, Lisa McDonald and husband, Brady (Kaitlyn and Carter) of Winterset; uncle, Bud Wetzel and wife, Jo of Peru; close friend, Christine Stout and family of Winterset; and many close friends and relatives. Visitation: 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.,where family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m January 30, 2009 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday January 31, 2009 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare, Winterset, IA Memorial: Memorials in John's name will be used to sponsor a race held in his memory at the Stuart Speedway (TBA).