Edward Albert Wetzel

The Reverend Edward Wetzel
The Reverend Edward A.Wetzel, 76, of Powell, died of acute leukemia on January 2, 2010_ at his home. He was born in New York City, June 11, 1933, the oldest of six children born to Edward Albert and Gertrude (FitzPatrick) Wetzel. His childhood years were spent in Scarsdale, New York, where he attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Grammar School and Stepinac High School. Ed graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts in 1955. On October 6, 1956 Ed married Carra Quinlan. Following graduation from college he began a career in advertising. For twenty years he worked in this field, becoming an officer of two of the largest advertising agencies in New York City.
Eventually Ed and his family moved to Dayton, Ohio where he managed the office of another large advertising agency. In Dayton in 1978 Ed almost died of alcohol dependence. After several months of physical recuperation Ed began the second half of his life, devoting his energies to his own recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous and to the recovery of those he could help. He became a substance abuse counselor and worked at treatment facilities in Georgia and Virginia. He was most involved with those whose addictions had led them into the criminal justice system. In 1995, Ed and his wife, Carra, moved to Powell to be near their son and his family. Ed assisted in developing the Park County Drug Court and served as the coordinator during its formative years.
His spiritual journey led him to St. John's Episcopal Church in Powell. There he was called by the congregation to enter ordained ministry. Ed was ordained a priest in January 2008, and has served as a local priest at St. John's for the past two years. Ed also served on the board of the Park County Library Foundation and at the time of his death was a member of the board of the Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic. Ed's father, mother and youngest sister, Jeannie Kover, preceded him in death. Ed is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carra (Quinlan), his three daughters, Alice Ann Wetzel and spouse Mark Chubb of Portland, Oregon, Martha Keltner and spouse David Keltner of Williamsburg, Virginia, Catherine Wetzel and spouse Nabil Zahrah of Chicago, Illinois, his son, John Wetzel and spouse Shelby (Bonner) of Powell, and eleven grandchildren. His sister, Elizabeth Knox of Bronxville, New York, brothers Paul of Norwell, Massachusetts and William of Briarcliff Manor also survive him. What Ed most appreciated in his life were his family, his sobriety and his ordination to the priesthood. Ed's courage, faith and dignity throughout his illness have been an inspiration to all his family and friends. His funeral service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Powell on January 7, 2010 at 11:00 am. Following the liturgy his remains will be buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Heart Mountain Volunteer MThompson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations to the Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic would be greatly appreciated by Ed and his family.