Richard G. Wetzell
October 25, 1935 - July 7, 2026
Richard G. Wetzell Obituary
Richard G. Wetzell died at his home in rural Rock Falls on July 7, 2026.
Richard was born in Sterling on October 25, 1935, the third son of Paul D. and Monafae (Price) Wetzell. He was united in marriage to Lois (Conklen) Wetzell on April 24, 1953 in Maquoketa, Iowa. He was a lifelong member of the Tampico United Methodist Church serving on various committees and mission trips. He was a member of the Drainage Ditch Board and Farm Bureau. Richard was raised on a farm and continued farming through his ninetieth year here on earth.
Richard is survived by his four children; Rodney (Edna) Wetzell of Rock Falls, Kathrine (Randall) Ganschow of Mendota, Stephen (JoEllen) Wetzell of Sterling and Thomas (Laurie) Wetzell of Rock Falls; 10 grandchildren: Heidi (Mike) Wiersema of Tolono, Adam (Melissa) Wetzell of Fenton, Justin (Alyssa) Ganschow of Chillicothe, Jessalynn (Douglas) DeSerf of Utica, Jillian (Adam) Sparks of Peru, Christy (Melissa Wolff) Wetzell of Sterling, Cory (Nicole) Wetzell of Oak Lawn, Nina (Josh) Riggle of Williamsport, PA, Danielle (Dylan) Wittig of Forreston, Allyson (Jason) Sidman of Rochelle and special granddaughter Gina Poppenhager of Dunlap; 12 great-grandchildren: Taylor Wiersema, Austin Wiersema, Makayla Wetzell, Ashley Wetzell, Jude Ganschow, Aubrey DeSerf, Jade DeSerf, James Sparks, Scarlet Riggle, Blake Wittig, Luke Wittig, Mia Sidman; sister-in-law Anna Mae Johnson, two nieces, five nephews, and several cousins. He was loved so much by all his family and will leave a hole in our hearts for a very long time.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife on Dec. 8, 2012, his parents, his brother Arthur Wetzell and wife Marjorie, his brother John A. Wetzell and a nephew Daniel Wetzell.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday July 28, 2026 from 4-7 PM at the Tampico United Methodist Church. The funeral will follow on Wednesday at 10:30 at the church. Burial will conclude at Tampico Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Garland Funeral Home, Tampico.
Memorials may be given in his memory to the Tampico United Methodist Church or Gaffey Home and Hospice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard, please visit our floral store.
Richard G. Wetzell died at his home in rural Rock Falls on July 7, 2026.
Richard was born in Sterling on October 25, 1935, the third son of Paul D. and Monafae (Price) Wetzell. He was united in marriage to Lois (Conklen) Wetzell on April 24, 1953 in Maquoketa, Iowa. He was a lifelong member of the Tampico United Methodist Chur