Eugene Lafayette Wetzel
Alabaster

Eugene Lafayette Wetzel, age 86, of Alabaster, passed away Sunday, Nov. 2.
Gene was born on Feb. 19, 1928 in McKeesport, Pa. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan during WWII from 1946-1948. After serving his country, he went to work for Koppers Steel in Pittsburgh, Pa. Then he traveled, with his family, to Venezuela S.A. to help start their first steel mill. After retiring from Koppers, he moved to Hernando, Fla., where he fulfilled his dream of owning a fishing lodge in Hernando. Ten years ago, he moved to Alabaster to live with his daughter. Eugene loved to dance and was a kind, compassionate and giving person who never met a stranger. He will be dearly missed.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ferne Eckersberg Wetzel; parents, Eugene Edward and Beatrice Carnahan Wetzel and sister, Virginia Tedesco.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori Conklin (Mike); sons, Lee Wetzel (Dru) and Louis Wetzel; sister, Janice James (Mike); brother, Emerson Wetzel; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside service with honors will be Nov. 7 at 11:45 a.m. in the Alabama National Cemetery.
Charter Funeral Home will handle arrangements.