Oliver Hugo Wetzel

Oliver Hugo Wetzel, 94, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, at Green Oaks Senior Living in Libertyville, IL. Born in Freistadt, WI on a dairy farm. Oliver decided after high school to dedicate his life in service to his country and spreading the gospel, attending and graduating from Concordia University and Seminary with a master's degree in divinity and joining the Navy as a Naval Chaplain, attaining the rank of Captain. Throughout his military career he preached and spread the Gospel, counseled and supported troops on land and sea, inspired a young, enlisted man who later became the Navy Chief of Chaplains, and saved many troops in crisis situations. After 30 years of distinguished military service as a chaplain in the Navy, he retired from the Navy at Bangor Submarine Base, in Silverdale, WA.
Oliver lived a long and meaningful life rooted in family, church, and military service. Moving every 3.5 years in the military life, Oliver made sure that each duty station location became a fun adventure for his family, immersing them in nature and exploring anything the surrounding area had to offer. In California, the family would hike, go boating, beach walk, catch grunion; in Washington State a trip to see the redwood forests, fishing for salmon, digging for clams; Oahu Hawaii offered more boating, diving, reef walking, and enjoying Mongolian BBQ's, while Rhode Island would provide trips to the seaside, Sunday afternoon drives to see historical cities and mansions. He also enjoyed a deep love for animals and nature as well as having hobbies that included boating and fishing, wood working, gardening, and finding ways to stop Crows from eating all the bird food in his bird feeders.
Oliver was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Mayer) Wetzel, his parents, Martin and Milda (Frenz) Wetzel, and three siblings, Wilmer Wetzel, Grace Nitz and Marion Bittorf. He is survived by three children Thomas (Lou) Wetzel, Susan (Dale) Kovarik, and Jim (Barbara) Wetzel; five grandchildren, Sabrina, Sarah, Margaret, Matthew, and Aaron; and four great grandchildren, Parker, Logan, Sparrow and Zion.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the McMurrough Funeral Chapel in Libertyville, Illinois at 10 am, with a funeral service beginning immediately after 11 am. A military Honor Guard ceremony and internment will follow the funeral at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, Vattman Road, Fort Sheridan, IL. 60037
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in Oliver's name may be made to The Disabled American Veterans https://help.DAV.gov, Lutheran World Relief https://give.lwr.org, or The Alzheimer's Foundation https://www.alzfdn.org To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Oliver, please visit our floral store.