Louis W. Betzel, 91, Owned Betzel's Greenhouse, enjoyed his family

He was born August 25, 1912 in Lorain and was a lifelong resident here.

He worked as a machine operator in the Coupling Dept. of Lorain Works, U.S. Steel, retiring in 1970 with 30 years of service. During that time he also engaged in farming.

In 1959 he opened Betzel’s Greenhouse on North Ridge Road in Sheffield Township, and continued to operate it until 1999.

He was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, United Steelworkers Union Local 1104, and was a former member of the Northern Ohio Growers assn. IN his youth, he excelled as a member of the Boy Scouts and received numerous awards. An avid fisherman, he also enjoyed gardening and farming, helping raise his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed preparing the family fish frys and playing chicken foot.

Surviving are two sons, Robert Betzel of Lorain, and Louis F. Betzel of North Ridgeville, a daughter Nancy Miller of Lorain, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, a sister Margaret Bodnar of Sheffield Village, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Stella (nee Poweska) in 1981, brothers, Frank George in infancy, John, and Bill, a sister Irene Takacs, and grandson James Louis Betzel, in infancy, and his parents, Frank and Mary (nee Juhasz) Betzel.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 from 4-8 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain, and Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church, East 38th Street and Elyria Ave., Lorain. Rev. Father Kevin Shemuga, pastor, will officiate. Deacon William Schill, will assist. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Betzel may be made to the American Diabetes Assn., 155 Ken-Mar Parkway, Broadview Hts., Ohio, 44147 or the donor’s choice.