James Michael Wetzel

James (Jim) Michael Wetzel of Aiken, South Carolina passed away Tuesday, August 25 at age 96. The youngest of six children, Jim was born to John Albert and Christina Kern Wetzel on May 7, 1924 in Decatur, Illinois. He grew up in Decatur, a city in central Illinois farm country, learning a variety of trade skills from his father. He attended St. James Catholic, Johns Hill Junior High, and Decatur High schools where he first became interested in singing and debate.

Jim enlisted in the Army in 1942 and attended the University of Illinois until called to active duty in 1943. Trained to be a B-29 navigator, he survived twenty-one combat missions over Japan and Korea, including an emergency landing on Iwo Jima.

Upon completing his mathematics and physics degree at the University of Illinois in 1947, he discerned the Roman Catholic priesthood, decided otherwise, and enrolled in the University of Notre Dame Law School. He earned his JD in 1950 and married Shirley Greider, also of Decatur. Jim and Shirley raised four children in a small town near Chicago.

For forty years, until he retired in 1995, Jim practiced patent and trademark law in Chicago based intellectual law and general practice law firms, including his own, and as a solo practitioner. In retirement he remained professionally active as a consultant and, briefly, as an instructor in the University of Florida Law School. As time passed, he added drawing, painting and writing to his activities.

Jim was a devout Roman Catholic. He was a lector in his Illinois, Florida, and South Carolina parishes and a choir member and cantor at St. Mary Help of Christians in Aiken. In an unpublished memoir he wrote, "Prayer has been the rounding point of my life."

Jim is survived by his children Michael (Deborah) and Peter Wetzel and Jane Howard (Kirk); his grandchildren Erin Briley (Chad), Matthew McCarthy (Jennifer), and Meghan Blevins (Sid); five great-grandchildren Colton, McKenzie, and Carter Briley; Van Blevins, and Ronan McCarthy; and his dear and loving companion, Barbara Emery. His wife of 60 years, Shirley, and his daughter, Cynthia McCarthy, preceded him to eternity.

A Requiem Mass will be said at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 2 at St. Mary Help of Christians in Aiken. A reception for friends and family will be scheduled for later this autumn in Aiken the announcement of which is forthcoming. You may view the livestream of the service on Wednesday by visiting the official George Funeral Home & Cremation Center Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GFHCC/) on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to: Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) P. O. Box 4715, New York, NY 10163 or cmmb.org.

Jim will be inurned at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church Columbarium in Gainesville, Florida this autumn.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Avenue, SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234) has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com