Rudolph "Rudy" Frank Wentzel, 84, WWII US Army Veteran

He was born June 5, 1920 in Berlin, Germany. He came to America at the age of five then moved to Ohio making Amherst his home most of his life. He moved to Wadsworth four years ago to live with his daughter.

He served in the US Army during World War II and survived the sinking of the U.S.S. Cooladge. He was employed by the Lorain Assembly Plant of Ford Motor Corp for thirty years, retiring in 1986 as a small tool repairman. Rudy was an active member of Faith Baptist Church in Amherst for over thirty years where he served as a Sunday School teacher, sang in the choir, and served as a Trustee and usher. He enjoyed traveling.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Florence "Flo" Eva Wentzel (nee: Emary); his daughters Penny Sludd of Wadsworth and Joy Ashmus (nee: Hoffner) of Amherst; ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; his brothers Richard Wentzel of Colorado and Willard Wentzel of Tucson, Arizona; and his sisters Ruth Shipley of Sheffield Lake and Elsie Adams of Tampa, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Patty Woodings (nee: Hoffner) in 1995; by his parents Otto and Wanda Wentzel (nee: Herzke); and by his brother Otto Wentzel.

Friends may call Tuesday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral services with the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard will be held Wednesday at 1p.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. David Duncan of Elyria will officiate.

Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst OH 44001.

Question, please call Hempel Funeral Home at (440) 988-4451.