Howard C. Wetzel

Howard C. Wetzel Word has been received of the death of Howard C. Wetzel, 77, of Lawton, OK. A private family service will be held. Mr. Wetzel died Monday, May 1, 2006, in Lawton. Arrangements are under direction of Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home. He was born Aug. 9, 1928, in Canton, Ohio, to Howard D. and Bertha Wetzel. He graduated from Canton McKinley High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He attended the Ohio State University on a football scholarship and served with the U.S. Army in Korea. He married Donna Jeanne Hensel on Dec. 30, 1950, in Massillon, Ohio, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. He moved to Lawton in 1978 and was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church. He worked for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 28 years and retired in 1990. Survivors include his wife of the home; a brother and sister-in-law, William and Barbara Wetzel Gansevoort, NY; three sons and daughters-in-law, Howard C. II and Candice Wetzel Cortland, Ohio, William Wetzel and Marion Gordon, Lawton and Christopher and Jennifer Wetzel, Snyder; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Rick Turner Columbus, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; one great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bernice. Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Lawton. Sympathy cards and letters may be sent to the funeral home.