Shirley Jean Wetzel

Shirley J. Wetzel, age 93, of Ithaca, died Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.

Shirley was born September 20, 1921, in Alma, the daughter of Arthur and Leona (Gager) Chisholm.  She married Clifford Charles Wetzel on June 25, 1943.  Clifford preceded her in death on November 9, 2003.

Shirley enjoyed oil painting.  She also enjoyed other hand crafts, and would teach the children in her sunday school class how to make candles.  As a 4-H sewing teacher, she was proud of her sewing students, as they would win so many awards and honors for their sewing projects.  She would take many of her 4-H students on trips, to the Simplicity Pattern Company, to Kellogg’s, and to the School for the Blind.  She learned to speak spanish so she could communicate directly to their migrant workers as well as to the foreign exchange student she and Clifford hosted.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Christine Calkins of Midland, Richard Wetzel of Ithaca, Jerry Wetzel of Ithaca, and Jim (Carol) Wetzel of Ithaca; 6 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Melissa Wetzel and Trevor Wetzel; and her brother, Don Chisholm.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. October 25, 2014, at the Ithaca Church of God.  Interment will be in Ithaca Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Church of God.