Carroll Richard Wetzel

Carroll Richard Wetzel, 95 of Friends Creek passed away peacefully on Friday March 18, 2022, at his home.

Born March 15, 1927, in Zora, Pennsylvania in a cabin along the banks of Friends Creek he was the son of the late Harry Francis and Mary Viola nee Turner Wetzel.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Deloris Ann Wetzel, brothers Harry “Booze” Wetzel, John Wetzel, & Ralph Wetzel; sisters Gladys Fox, Margaret Honer, Goldie “Toots” Wetzel, & Mabel Wetzel; brothers-in-law Delmar Horner, Dick Harbaugh, Jim Wetzel, & Bill Fox; sisters-in-law Louise Wetzel & Ruth Wetzel.

In his early days Richard was drafted to service in the US Army but was medically discharged a short time later.

He worked many careers over the span of his life including as a lineman first class for West Penn Power, Town of Thurmont, as well as a bodyguard & chauffeur for Harold Hess of Hess Manufacturing Company of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

No matter whether you know him as dad, pap, Richard, Dick, Carroll, or any other semblance of names he was indeed a character. From his awesome tee shirts with iconic phrases like “where’s the beef” and “don’t argue with your wife, just dicker” or his cowboy boots and hat Richard was indeed a legend in his own rite. Many referred to him as the “Sheriff of Friends Creek” possibly for his stopping the theft of the church bell of the Friends Creek Church of God among his other crime stopping deeds in the Friends Creek community.

Richard was an avid hunter and shooting enthusiast, loved training and riding horses, was a self-taught farrier, and enjoyed tinkering around with cars and other things that go. Richard enjoyed playing his guitar, banjo, and fiddle. He would go out of his way to help those in need and never knew a stranger. Richard was a homebody in many respects and enjoyed sitting on his front porch and watching the cars go by.

He is survived by his children Carroll Douglas Wetzel, Margaret Black (Jerry); brother Stanley “Buck” Wetzel; sister Virginia Rentzel; grandchildren Douglas Richard Wetzel (Missy), Joseph Wetzel (Kerry), Jessica Wetzel (Rodante), Colt Black (Micheala), great-grandchildren Matthew, Lauren, Denver, Atlas, Liberty; sister-in-law Gladys Wetzel; former daughter-in-law Sandy Wetzel.

Family will receive friends on SATURDAY April 2, 2022 at the Friends Creek Church of God: 7650 Friends Creek Road Emmitsburg, MD 21727 from 3:30 PM until the start of services at 4 with Pastor Nancy Lewis & Deacon Charles Barnhart officiating.

Donations in Richards’s name to Days End Farm Horse Rescue: PO Box 309 Lisbon, MD 21765

Richard’s care has been entrusted to Black’s Funeral Home of Sabillasville. Online condolences at www.blacksfuneralhomes.com