OBITUARY: Etta Marie Wetzel

Etta Marie Wetzel died Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, after a valiant battle with cancer.

She awaits the resurrection and judgment by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Etta Marie was born in Fredericktown, Mo., on Nov. 4, 1942, to Pastor Ellsworth and June (Macy) Routson. She was the eldest of three children. On Aug. 27, 1966, she married Conrad Roy Wetzel in Burr Oak, Ind.

Etta Marie was a loving wife, mother and foster parent, exhibiting the highest degree of love and patience. She was a gentle person. During her working career, she was a counselor at Bowen Center and a special education assistant and teacher at Harrisburg High School, Carrier Mills High School and Akin Elementary School. She graduated from Mankato State University with a bachelor's degree in sociology and from Southern Illinois University with master's degrees in rehabilitation counseling and special education. She held a special fondness for her students. Etta Marie was a member of the Resurrection Church of God (Abrahamic Faith) in Eldorado, where she served as church pianist and as a children's Sunday School teacher. A talented musician, Etta Marie played piano, organ, saxophone, oboe and other instruments. Her talent with piano will be greatly missed by her husband and others.

Etta Marie was preceded in death by her father; brother, Harold Routson; and sister, Elizabeth Poi.

She is survived by her mother, June Routson; her husband, Conrad Wetzel; daughters, Debbie (Eric) Layman, Cherie (Lee) Abbott, Kristen Wetzel and Jennifer (Dan) Siderius; grandchildren, Hannah and Jordan Layman, Emilee and Jared Abbott and Olivia Siderius; brother-in-law, Chuck Poi; and sister-in-law, Joan Routson.

Per her wishes, Etta Marie will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado at 5 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2014. Visitation will precede the service from 3 to 5 p.m. Her remains will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian Community Compassion Center in Harrisburg or to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Internet condolences may be made at the website, www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com.