Mrs. Lydia Virginia Wetsel, 79, widow of D. M. Wetsel founder of the Wetsel Seed Company, and a well-known Harrisonburg resident, died at 5:45 Sunday afternoon at her home, 520 Collicello Street after an illness of three months.

Mrs. Wetsel, who was extremely active for her advanced age, became ill three months ago, having been a patient in the hospital here for some time. Her condition became critical Sunday a week ago and little hope had been held for her recovery.

A daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Good Wampler, Mrs. Wetsel was born on February 13, 1868 near Penn Laird and spent the early part of her life there.

On January 31, 1888, at the age of 19, she was united in marriage to Daniel M. Wetsel, formerly of Gettysburg, Pa. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel moved to Port Republic where they made their home for 25 years. In 1912 they moved to Harrisonburg where Mrs. Wetsel has since made her home.

Mr. Wetsel, the founder of the Wetsel Seed Company, which has grown from a small part time vocation in 1902 to one of the largest businesses of its kind in Virginia, preceded her in death in 1933.

Mrs. Wetsel was a lifelong member of the Brethren Church, having joined the Mill Creek Church as a young girl, later transferring her membership to the Harrisonburg Brethren Church, and was a member of the Womens Bible Class and also of Circle No. 1 of the Church.

She is survived by: seven daughters, Mrs. Ruth Sencindiver, Mrs. Rosalie Lokey and Mrs. Alma Glover, all of Harrisonburg; Mrs. Grace Miller, Palmyra, Pa.; Mrs. Anna Lineweaver, Jonestown, Pa.; Mrs. Lilly Fulk, Fulks Run, and Mrs. Louella Henning, Alexandria; four sons, A. W. Wetsel, E. H. Wetsel and D. M. Wetsel, Jr., all of Harrisonburg; and Beidler J. Wetsel, of Alexandria; nineteen grandchildren, five great--grandchildren; one brother, A. C. Wampler, Harrisonburg. A number of nieces and nephews also, survive.

Two daughters, Lula and Lillian Wetsel, preceded her in death in 1898 and one son, Wampler Harrison Wetsel, died on October 4, 1934.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock from the First Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg. Her pastor, Dr. Earl M. Bowman, will have charge of the services, assisted by the Rev. Charles Long and the Rev. Allan H. Fenner.

Burial will be in the family lot in the Mill Creek Church Cemetery.

The body will rest at the Lindsey Funeral Home on South Main Street until four-thirty this (Monday) afternoon when it will be taken to her late home, 520 Collicello Street, where relatives are asked to meet Tuesday afternoon at one-fifty o’clock prior to leaving for the church.

The casket will not be opened in the church.

Harrisonburg Daily News Record
Monday Jan 12, 1948