Joel Arthur Wentz

SALINA Joel Arthur Wentz, 77, Salina, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004. Joel was born April 19, 1926, at Burlington. He was a graduate of Kansas State University. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. Joel was an agriculture engineer for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service from 1950 to 1984. He retired as Soil Conservation Service Assistant State Conservationist. He engineered many watershed projects throughout the state of Kansas. He also worked as water resource manager for the Kansas Water Office in Topeka from 1984 to 1991. Mr. Wentz was member of Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Elks Lodge No. 718, Noon Kiwanis and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Joel was an active community volunteer, and was an avid gardener and fisherman. He married Betty Jean Dawson on Nov. 27, 1946. She survives in Salina. Other survivors include two daughters, Joelene Wentz, St. Louis, and Jean Drees and her husband, Robert, Salina; one si ster, Jane Humphrey, Topeka; and two grandchildren, Jeff and Bethany Drees, Salina. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven D. Wentz, in 1977. Mr. Wentz was cremated. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Salina. Inurnment will be in the Key West Cemetery near Lebo at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The family will greet visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ryan Mortuary in Salina. There will be no viewing. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunrise Presbyterian Church or Salina Hospice. Sentiments may be e-mailed to condolences@ryanmortuary.com.