Earl H. Wetsel, 92, of Harrisonburg died June 4, 1990, at Camelot Hall Nursing Home, where he had lived since 1982.

He was born Aug. 5, 1897, at Port Republic and was the son of the late Daniel M. and Lydia Wampler Wetsel.

Mr. Wetsel served as president and chairman of the board of the Wetsel Seed Co., which was founded by his father, until his retirement in 1977. He was an active member of the First Church of the Brethren, where he was a Life Deacon. He was a member of the Men's Bible Class and had served on the building committee of the original church when it was built on South High Street.

He was a member and past president of the Harrisonburg Rotary Club and had a perfect attendance for 33 years. He was one of the first recipients of the Paul Harris Fellow and was the first honorary member of the club. He was a past president of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and was appointed by the City Council to study the possibility of establishing what is now known as the Harrisonburg Electric Commission. He made the motion to establish this commission. Mr. Wetsel was one of the original members of the Harrisonburg Redevelopment Authority and was a former president of the Virginia Seedmen's Association. During his term of office, a close relationship between the Regulatory Authority, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the Seedmen was established.

On June 9, 1920, he married the former Edna Thomas, who died May 14, 1980.

Surviving are two sons, Nelson T. and Robert E. Wetsel, both of Harrisonburg; three sisters, Ruth Sencindiver, Rosalie Lokey and Alma Glover, all of Harrisonburg; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The Revs. J.D. Click and Robert L. Sherfy will conduct a graveside service at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Woodbine Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. at the First Church of the Brethren.

Friends may call at the Lindsey Harrisonburg Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the home of Nelson T. Wetsel, 207 Flint Ave., Harrisonburg, from 7-9 p.m. today.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Valley Habitat for Humanity, care of Mr. Ashby Patterson, P.O. Box 245, Bridgewater 22812

Harrisonburg Daily News Record
Tuesday June 5, 1990