Roll Call Tribute

Zoeller Funeral Home obituary
615 Landa, New Braunfels, TX 78130 | 830-625-2349
Ferman Louis Wetz
August 26, 1931 - September 18, 2011

Memorial Service
Thursday, September 22, 2011 | 2:00pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
181 S. Santa Clara Ave., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 | 830-625-9191

Visitation
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Zoeller Funeral Home
615 Landa, New Braunfels, Texas 78130 | 830-625-2349

Ferman Louis Wetz was born August 26, 1931 in Guadalupe County to Hilmar Jacob and Erna Rusch Wetz and passed away at the age of 80 on September 18, 2011. He and his two sisters were raised on the family farm outside Marion. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran in Marion where his grandparents were charter members. He attended Scheffel School from kindergarten through 7th grade, then attended 8th grade at Mary B Erskine in Seguin, and graduated from Seguin High School in 1949. While in high school he played baseball, played the trumpet in the band, and also enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard 36th Infantry Division where he was also a band member.

After graduation he attended Texas A&M University where he played in the Bugle Corp as part of the Fighting Texas Aggie Band. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1953. Ferman continued to be involved with the family farm throughout his life but he moved to New Braunfels in 1954. That year he was hired by Raymond Stotzer to work for the Texas Highway Department. As an engineer and field crew supervisor he helped plan and construct major highways in the area such as Highway 46, Loop 337, Hwy 281, and Hwy 90 in Seguin to name a few. He retired in 1991 after 37 years of dedicated service.

He married Sarah "Sally" Jones in 1959 and they were blessed with three children. He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church until he retired to the farm. Ferman also joined the Volunteer Fire Department in 1959 where he served for 20 years and retired as a captain. He believed strongly in serving his community and was a long time active member of the New Braunfels Evening Lions Club, an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 133, and an Umpire for NB Little League, a supporter of FFA and the Junior Livestock Show, a 50+ year member of Hermann Sons Lodge, and a member of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students.

Ferman enjoyed many outdoors activities such as hunting, camping, dutch oven cooking and barbequing. He also had fun with friends bowling nine pin at Barbarosa and Freiheit. His natural interest in history and geography led the family on fun adventures on the back roads of the hill country and he also had a passion for reading westerns and history about other western states.

He is preceded in death by both his sisters, Evelyn Schlueter and Betty Dietert. Ferman is survived by his daughter Alisa Badley of New Braunfels, son Steven Wetz and his wife Diane of Harper, daughter Lyn Gilcrease and her husband Glen of New Braunfels. He loved and was proud of his grandchildren Dayson Badley of Fort Collins, CO, Erin Badley of Denver, CO, Crystal Wetz of Harper, Braden, Katelyn and Kaycee Gilcrease of New Braunfels. He was blessed in life with many wonderful extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 pm Wednesday at Zoeller Funeral Home. A memorial service will
be held Thursday at 2 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church with a private family burial, Rev. Jim Witschorke officiating. Honorary Pallbears are Dale Reiley, Darren Reiley, Mark Narendorf, Carroll Hoffman, C.E. "Buck" Jones, Dayson Badley, John Badley, and Braden Gilcrease. Memorials may be made to New Braunfels Fire Department and Boy Scout Troop 133.

Arrangements under the direction of Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa, New Braunfels, Texas 78130. 830-62[5]-2349
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Sent by daughter

Ferman Wetz, '53 of Marion (formerly of New Braunfels) died September 18, 2011. He retired after more than 36 years of service as a engineer from the Texas Highway Dept. and moved back to the family farm. He was active in many community activities but especially dedicated to serving as a Boy Scout leader. Ferman enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his 3 children, Alisa Wetz Badley '82, Steven Wetz, and Lynellen Wetz Gilcrease '91, and six grandchildren.