James W. Wetzler – White Oak
James W. Wetzler, 87, of White Oak, Pa., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 10, 2023, at The Manor at Market Square in Reading, Pa. Jim was born on Sept. 23, 1935, in McKeesport, Pa. He is predeceased by his parents, George N. and Hilda B. Wetzler; brother, Don Wetzler; and sister, Joanne Milburn. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Linda Anderson Wetzler; son, James W (Karen) Wetzler Jr. of Canandaigua, N.Y.; daughters, Sue W. Seanor of Exeter, Pa., and Libby (Bill) Patterson of Victor, N.Y.; and sister, Margaret Troutman of Hermanie, Pa. Jim is also survived by four grandchildren, Courtney (Jay) Freudenberg, Greg (Kayla) Seanor, Adam Seanor and William W (Kelli) Patterson; and the recent light of Jim and Linda’s life, a great-grandson, Theodore Seanor. Jim was employed for 42 years by the former Bell Telephone Company, retiring in 1995. He was a past president and active member of the Bell Telephone Pioneers until he retired. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge 583 F&AM and a life member of the McKeesport Gun Club. Church was an important part of Jim’s life. Jim was a past member and trustee of First United Methodist Church of McKeesport, Pa., and later a current and very active member of Linway Presbyterian Church in East McKeesport, Pa. He participated in many church committees and was always there to lend a listening ear or a well-thought-out suggestion. He always took the time to help others and instilled this into his children. A hard worker his entire life, Jim led by example for his family and all those around him. He never shied away from doing the right thing. An avid outdoorsman, Jim was always the first one in deer camp, loving every minute being with “the boys” in the woods hunting or for any other endeavor he participated in. Jim had a reputation of being a first-class storyteller and was always counted on for intriguing and humorous stories about life. Jim’s other passions were tinkering in his beautiful garden, working on his showcase lawn and fixing just about anything. He was so proud to live on the “Hill” in White Oak, Pa. If his family was his first love, the family cabin in McKean County, Pa., was his second. He so loved to spend time in the mountains and always made sure you left as a friend. Jim was a proud cancer survivor and rang the bell in August 2020 at Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, Pa., after an almost five-year battle. The family passes on their special thanks to the staff at The Manor at Market Square and AseraCare Home Hospice for their kind and special care provided to Jim. A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 24, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Pottstown Presbyterian Church, located at 750 North Evans St., Pottstown, PA 19464. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s memory can be made to Linway Presbyterian Church, 600 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, PA 15137 or The Intersection McKeesport, 115 7th St., McKeesport, PA 15132, (www.intersection-mckeesport.org).
