Kenneth Otto Wenzel

Kenneth Otto Wenzel passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at his home at the age of 97. Born December 16, 1922 to George and Hazel (Dunham Clark) Wenzel. He married Helen Maier on October 27, 1945; she predeceased him in 1969. He married Mildred Clark Church on September 5, 1970: she predeceased him in 2013.

He loved his job driving truck for 63 years with Merrill Elevator (Wolohan), Gratiot Farmers Supply, Allied Concrete, Liquid Transport, Hemlock Elevator and Dorr Farms. Ken enjoyed farming, baseball and softball at Wenzel Park, U of M, and traveling with family and friends to ballparks, stadiums, and sights in the old greyhound bus and motorhome. He loved his years of deer hunting in the U.P. in Kenton and shooting a bear one year. Ken was also a member of the Jonesfield-Lakefield Fire Department.

Ken is survived by Gary “Butch” (Pam) Wenzel, Kenna Fordos, Delynn Wenzel, Theodore (Margie) Church, Sue Kitzmiller, Steve (Penny) Church, Herb (Yvonne) Church, Hazel (Rick) Hall, and Barb (Doug) Tester; brothers Dale, Richard, Danny, David, Gerald and Benton Wenzel; sister-in-law Gloria Wenzel, 22 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by sons-in-law Jim Fordos, and Ron Kitzmiller; daughter Sharon Varner, sisters Georgianna Schultz, Lyla Doehring, Barb McLoskey; and brothers Warren (Bud) and Archie Wenzel.

Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 125 E. Saginaw St., Merrill. Doug Tester and Nathan Tester will officiate with burial to follow in Marion Township Cemetery. Friends may call on the family at the chapel from 1-8pm on Monday, November 2, 2020 at the funeral home as well as from 10 am until the time of service Tuesday. Pursuant to the current state executive order, indoor building capacity is limited, face covers are required, and social distancing is encouraged. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in our community. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Jonesfield-Lakefield Fire Department.

Mr. Wenzel's service can be viewed at: here