WETHERELL, Paul Edward

WETHERELL, STANTON, RICHARDSON, KLUGER, DIXSON, HESCHKE, FREDERICKSEN, HERVEY, FRANCIS, CULP, DICKS, BROWN

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 3/26/2009 at 14:45:01

Paul Edward Wetherell

Paul Edward Wetherell, 69, of Cherokee, Iowa died Wednesday March 25, 2009 in the Cherokee Villa with his family at his side, following a long-time battle with COPD.

Funeral services will be held Saturday March 28, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Cherokee, Iowa. Rev. Gary McDonough will officiate. Burial will be in the Laurens Cemetery, Laurens, Iowa at 2:00 P.M. Saturday. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the Greenwood Funeral Home, Cherokee, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Paul was born to Ralph and Violet (Stanton) Wetherell on June 19, 1939 in Iowa City, IA. He was raised in a family of 18 children. He attended school in Sulphur Springs, Cherokee, Hayes and Storm Lake, and later receiving his GED on April 6, 1976. He entered the Army on January 29, 1957. He went to tank school followed by airborne school. He was a member of 82nd Airborne assigned to the motor pool driving the Captain. He was Motor Pool Sargeant when Honorably Discharged on February 1, 1960. Paul married Carol Richardson on August 19, 1962 in Laurens, IA. Throughout their marriage they lived in Laurens, Aurelia and Cherokee, IA.

After returning from the Army, he began a career in trucking. He drove for his brother Chuck Wetherell, Lowell Wright, Twin Draulic and Marvin Lyons Construction. He began working at Wilson Foods in October 1965 where he worked for 35 years, retiring in June 2000. While at the plant he was involved in the United Food and Commercial Worker’s Union Local 179 and served in the capacity of Steward and Chief Steward for nine years. During the time he worked at the plant, he also farmed land north of Cherokee for a number of years. After a short retirement period, Paul went back to work operating heavy equipment for Wetherell Excavating & Trucking then driving truck for Bar D Bar Farms and Shamrock Farms.

Paul was active in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and would have received his 10 year chip on April 9, 2009. He was active in his communities, serving in the Laurens Jaycees, Cherokee Sno- Chiefs Snowmobile Club, St. Paul United Methodist Men, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 179, Heartland Chapter 11th Airborne Division Association, Cornhuskers Chapter 82nd Airborne Division Association and was an Iowa Snowmobile Safety Instructor.

Paul liked social activities and made friends wherever he went. He enjoyed going to coffee, AA Meetings, KICD Annual Tractor Ride, working on his antique 1953 WD Allis Chalmers tractor and visiting with friends and family. He liked reading, watching westerns, bull riding, NASCAR (Jeff Gordon), San Francisco 49ers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. Paul and Carol enjoyed traveling over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Cherokee, IA; his daughter, Brenda & Monty Kluger of Urbandale, IA; his son Brad & Zona Wetherell and Justin Dixson, of Marcus, IA; his son Brent & Monica Wetherell, of New York City, NY; a sister, Berniece Heschke (Harold), of Carson City, NV; a sister, Helen Fredericksen, of Westminister, CO; a brother, Dale Wetherell (Rose), of Storm Lake, IA; a brother, Bill Wetherell (Connie), of Sloan, IA; a sister, Sharron Hervey (Larry), of Newton, IA; a sister, Shirley Francis (George), of Havelock, IA; a brother, Denny Wetherell (Faye), of Woodbridge, VA; a sister, Carole Culp (Dale), of Deschler, NE; a brother, Glen Wetherell (Norene), of Spencer, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Also “granddogs” Moyra and Roscoe.

Paul was preceeded in death by his parents, Ralph and Violet; a brother, Clifford Wetherell and his wife (Ruby); a sister, Marge Dicks and her husband (Dale); a brother, Burton “Butch” Wetherell and his wife (Marilyn “Mazie”); a sister, Phyllis Brown (Darold); a sister, Darlene Wetherell; a brother, Charles “Chuck” Wetherell; a brother, Dick Wetherell; a sister, Mary Katherine Wetherell.