He was born on Sunday, July 30, 1933, in Mount Carmel, PA, a son of the late William E and Lottie Hepler Wetzel.
He served in the US Army as a medic from 1953-1955 and was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany.
Ralph worked at Keifer's Mill for 17 years then later at Gold Mills for 27 years, retiring in 1998.
He was an active member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins, where he helped to serve many dinners and was part of the plays produced by the Friedens Players where his personality shined.
He loved his family always putting them first. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his pride and joy. Everyone who knew Ralph enjoyed his spunk and his sense of humor and wit. He loved people and making them smile and laugh.
In his younger days, he bowled in a church league at Boyers Lanes. He always participated in making pizzas for the David A Pizza Sales helping to raise money for community members in need. He was a member of the Valley View Gun Club and also loved spending time at the Scrub Club Hunting Camp in Clinton County serving as the camp cook for many years and playing euchre. Ralph was a great gardener always keeping a meticulous truck patch. He loved the family dog Duke and taking golf cart rides with him. His favorite pasttime was enjoying a competitive game of double pinochle or hausse around the kitchen table with family and close friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Thomas "Chet" Wetzel, and his brothers, James, Carl and Raymond Wetzel.
He is survived by his loving wife Ruth A (Ely) Wetzel, celebrating 65 years of marriage on October 5, 2022.
He is also survived by two sons, Roy "Squeak" (Carol) Wetzel of Chambersburg, Kenneth "Ben" Wetzel of Hegins; three daughters, Barbara (Jake) Ramsey of Mifflintown, Jessica (David) Henninger of Hegins, Melissa Dando of Cumbola; sister, Ruth Zabor, of Cupertino, CA. He was Pap to his grandchildren, Craig, Jaime, Nikole, Ryan, Samantha, Michelle, Adam, Morgan, Kyle, Megan, Parker, and Brooke, and eleven great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins, on Sunday, November 13, 2022. A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Friedens Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 375, Hegins, PA 17938 or to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.