Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Witzel, Henry 1938
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Ionia Daily Sentinel-Standard, 31 Mar & 4 Apr 1938

Resident of Ionia for 67 Years Passes

Henry Witzel Was Part Owner and Superintendent of Pottery 40 Years and Served 
on the Board of Public Works.

Henry Witzel, for 67 years a resident of Ionia city, died at his home 628 
Lafayette street at 6:30 o’clock Wednesday evening after two months serious 
illness.  He was 81 years of age.

Born in Canada Mr. Witzel came to Ionia as a youth of 14 years becoming one of 
the city’s most prominent business men and one of the largest stockholders in a 
number of Ionia concerns.  He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Witzel, 
born November 2, 1856 in Ontario, Canada.

After attending the Ionia Central school for a time Mr. Witzel became employed 
at the brickyards where he worked for several years.  Bricks made during his 
employment there were used in the construction of some of the Michigan 
reformatory walls and can still be seen there.  For a time he worked in 
Sheridan before he finally became identified with the Ionia Pottery company of 
which he was a part owner and superintendent for more than 40 years.

It was during his employment at the Pottery that he became first interested in 
public affairs, a hobby he continued to enjoy during the following years.  He 
was elected to the board of public works in Ionia about 1903.  The board later 
was abolished and its duties vested in the council.  During his membership on 
the board the Ionia city hall was constructed.  His interest in public and 
civic affairs led him to participate in numerous Ionia enterprises and he 
finally became a stockholder and bondholder in several.  At the time of his 
death he was one of the largest bondholders of the Elks temple and also held 
stock in the Ypsilanti Reed furniture company, Stafford-Johnson company, the 
former Ionia National bank, and the Pottery.

On March 8, 1882 he was married to Miss Minnie Gierman of Ionia.  Two children 
were born to the couple, Glen Witzel who died when a boy, and Miss Mable Witzel 
who survives.  Mrs. Witzel died a few years after the marriage and on November 
3, 1890 Mr. Witzel was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Smith of Ionia, who 
also survives.

Mr. Witzel was a life member of the Ionia Elks lodge and had been active in its 
affairs for many years.  He was also a member of the IOOF, the Rebecca lodge, 
the Canton, regarded as the highest Oddfellow degree, and the Camp.

Surviving are the wife, a daughter, Miss Mable Witzel at home, two brothers, 
Godlup of Ionia, and Albert of Montpelier, Ohio, and a sister, Mrs. Barbara 
Mussner of St. Jacobs, Ontario.

Funeral services are to be held from the home, 628 Lafayette street, Saturday 
afternoon at 2 o’clock.  Rev. Paul L. Stewart will officiate and interment will 
be at Highland Park cemetery.

----

A large number of friends and relatives attended the funeral services for Henry 
Witzel, prominent Ionia business man, which were conducted from the home, 628 
Lafayette street, Saturday afternoon, with Rev. Paul Stewart officiating.  The 
IOOF and the Rebekahs attended the services in a body.  Mr. Witzel had been a 
resident of Ionia for 67 years, and was 81 years of age.  Interment was in 
Highland Park cemetery.  The pall bearers were Lawrence Witzel, George Witzel, 
Roy Witzel, John Witzel, Herbert Witzel, and Lloyd Witzel, all nephews.  
Flowers were in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Curtis.  Ninety-seven friends and 
relatives were present for the last rites.  

The out-of town relatives were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Witzel, of Montpelier, O.; 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lachnet, of Elmira, Ont.; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Ernest, of 
Kitchener, Ont.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Giermann, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Giermann, Mr. 
and Mrs. George Giermann, Sebewa; Mrs. Cora Walsh, Sunfield; Lloyd Witzel, 
Glenn Witzel, Robert Witzel, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Earl 
Wilson, Lyle Wilson, Mrs. Josephine Hopkins, Sheridan; Cecil Wilson, 
Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Witzel, Mrs. Cassie Cramer, Mrs. H. J. 
Duemeland, Grand Rapids; John A. Smith, Miss Hazel Smith, Miss Agnes Smith, 
Woodland; Carl Smith and family, Eaton Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Anderson 
and family, Howell; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Smith, Portland; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth 
Smith, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Kenyon, Lake Odessa; Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Pearl 
Rockwell, Luther; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith, Baldwin; Mr. and Mrs. George 
Kenyon, Mr. and Mrs. Florian Kenyon, Mrs. Bessie Ralston, Mrs. Mary Gilkey, 
Mrs. Leonard Dennis, Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stevens, Grand Ledge; Mrs. Del 
Sherman, Allen Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Zagland Kelly, Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. 
Harry York and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest York, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Hissong and 
family, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Philip and Mr. and Mrs. John York, of Sebewa.


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