David K. Wetta died peacefully surrounded by his family at
2:45 pm
,
Thursday, July 28, 2011
. He was born August 6, 1927 in Portsmouth, Ohio. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Colorado near the end of WWII. He returned to Portsmouth to finish his schooling at St. Mary’s High School and attended Ohio University graduating in 1951. On August 18 of that year, he married Betty June Salisbury. They would have celebrated 60 years together this year.
Mr. Wetta served the children of
Ohio
as an educator for 30 years, starting at
Portsmouth Notre Dame
High School
as a teacher and coach. In 1957, he moved to New Riegel Schools where he served as a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, and superintendent. He ended his career in the
Tiffin
City
schools where he was a guidance counselor, Federal Programs Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent, and finally, Superintendent. Along the way, he earned his Master’s Degree and Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from
Bowling Green
State
University
. He retired in December 1981. Following a year of retirement, he returned to work as a substance abuse counselor at the
Sandusky
Valley
for a number of years. Mr. Wetta was active in St. Joseph Catholic Church and served on the boards of many civic organizations.
Mr. Wetta is survived by his wife Betty; loving children Kathy Wetta, Mindy (Tom) Edwards, Sue (Ken) Ritzler, Barb (Steve) Schumm, and Scott (Kelley) Wetta; grandchildren Tim (Renee) Schumm, Katie (Kevin) Firestone, Andy (Amanda) Ritzler, Jackie Ritzler, Nathan Edwards, Chad (Kaitlyn) Edwards, Amy Edwards, Ryan (Krista) Schumm, Sara Schumm, Erin (Danny) Stroub, Olivia Wetta, Hailey Wetta, Claire Wetta, Ana Paula E. Wetta (fiancé Greg Bachelor), and Adriano D. Wetta; sisters Joanne Emnett and Rebecca Yoder; and brother Robert; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends with whom he worked over the years. Mr. Wetta also enjoyed his eight beloved great-grandchildren and anticipated the arrival of two more.
He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dorothy Wetta, brother William and sister Charlene, his granddaughter Connie Edwards, and son-in-law Michael Schumm.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated and a private interment will take place.
A celebration of his life will be held at a memorial Mass in
St. Joseph
’s Church on at
1:30 pm
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
, with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating.
Memorials contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Church Air Conditioning Fund in care of Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory,
214 South Monroe St.
,
Tiffin
,
Ohio
, 419-447-3113.