Gerald "Junior" Wetz was born on January 31, 1931, to Gerald and Amelia (Schaff) Wetz near Vale, and he grew up on the family ranch there. On October 1, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Marie Elizabeth Hunt and to this union, three children were born, LeRoy, Greg, and
Tammie. In 1978, Junior and Marie moved to Alaska for eight years. They then returned to the family ranch and retired. After Marie's death in 1999, Junior moved to Vale and lived there, until moving to Sturgis in 2010.

Junior, 83, Sturgis, and formerly of Vale, died Friday, October 24, 2014, at Sturgis Regional Hospital, Lippold Hospice Suite.

Junior is survived by his sons, LeRoy (Shirley) Wetz, Vale, and Greg (Kathy) Wetz, Vale; daughter, Tammie (Randy) Candelario, Pleasanton, CA; seven grandchildren, Dale, Darla, June, J.W., Lyle, Casey, and Evan; eleven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harold Wetz, James Wetz, and
Darrell Wetz; two sisters, Helen Seitz and Geraldine Toner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie; and two sisters, Julia Mullaney and Dorothy Boyce.

A memorial has been established to the Wetz School Museum Fund.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com .

Click on link to view service folder