Obituary of Loren E. Wetzel

Loren E. Wetzel, 84, of Le Roy, NY, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, while surrounded by loved ones.

     He was born on June 17, 1933 to John and Cora (Lortz) Wetzel in Morganville, NY. Loren was the first person in his family to go to college. In 1956, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Loren worked at Graham Manufacturing Co. for his entire career, retiring as an Assistant Manager of Contract Engineering. In all, he gave 46 years of hard work and dedication. Post-retirement, he continued to stay active with Graham by organizing retiree trips and lunches.

     Le Roy was a central part of Loren's life. He was a member of The Rotary Club for over 30 years, serving as president and on the board of directors. He was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the highest honor from the Rotary, and was made an honorary member of the club in 2013. Loren's passion for the community didn't end there—he was a member of the Water and Sewer Committee, the Town Planning Board, and the Le Roy Historical Society, of which he was especially proud to be involved with the Jell-O Gallery. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Le Roy for 50 years. He wrote thoughtful, heartfelt graces for special occasions of organizations he belonged to and family functions.

     Golfing became a large part of Loren's life after retirement. He developed many friends through this hobby, and he served as president and treasurer of the Le Roy Senior Golf League, which was renamed the Loren Wetzel Senior Golf League in 2014, in his honor.  Loren also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and his wife always attended the grandchildren's plays, concerts, and special events, whether they were in town or five hours away—distance was never an issue.

     Loren lived to make his part of the world a better place. His big, welcoming personality allowed him to make friends everywhere he went—from his hometown to far-off countries. He freely gave all of his love and energy to his family, his friends, and the town of Le Roy.

     Loren is survived by his wife, Janet, of 62 years; his children, Keith Wetzel, Brian Wetzel (Paula), and Lynne Baudanza (John); his seven grandchildren, Sarah (Adam) Wetzel-Strong, Becky Wetzel, Emilie Wetzel, Paige Wetzel, Amy Wetzel, Rachel Baudanza, and Sam Baudanza; a great-grandchild, Henry Strong; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents and ten siblings; Eleanor (Albert) Neubert, Dorothy (John) Kruppa, Kenneth (Annamae) Wetzel, John (Blanche) Wetzel, Richard (Emma) Wetzel, Thelma (Earl) Setterington, Helen (Nathan) Binkley, Robert Wetzel, Charles Wetzel, and Virginia (Harold) Berry.

     Family and friends may call on Friday, April 13 from 5 ~ 7 P.M. at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy. His Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 14 at 11:00 A.M. at the LeRoy First Presbyterian Church, Rts. 5 & 19, LeRoy.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either The Hospice Foundation of WNY, P.O. Box 590, Buffalo, N.Y. 14240-0590 or the LeRoy Historical Society, P.O. Box 176, LeRoy, N.Y. 14482.