John L. Wetle, Sr. Obituary

NOTE: John was the son of Jacob Wetle and Appolenia "Lena" Ohlegschlager Wetle.

From: The Bend Bulletin, May 14, 1976

JOHN L. WETLE

John L. Wetle, 86, who 53 years ago founded the Bend department store that bears his name, died early this morning at his home at 530 NW Trenton Ave.

Mass of Christian burial will be said Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. William Coughlin as celebrant.

Mr. Wetle was well known as a sportsman, particularly as an expert dry-fly fisherman. He came to Central Oregon in the early 1920s and camped on the Metolious near the present Camp Sherman area for two years before moving to Bend. He bought an existing dry goods store from Charles Warner, and established the John L. Wetle Co. in April 1923.

Mr. Wetle was a member of the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, the Deschutes County Sportsman’s Association and the Isack Walton League. He was a past president of the Bend Lions Club, and in past years was active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge and the St. Charles Memorial Hospital board.

He was born Aug. 15, 1889, at The Dalles. He had four brothers who preceded him in death.

His survivors include two sons, John L. “Jack” Jr. and Robert J., and a daughter, Mrs. Wayne (Helen) Faddis, all of Bend. There are 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Recitation of the rosary will be Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Niswonger-Reynolds Chapel. After the funeral Mass Saturday, burial will be at Deschutes Memorial Gardens beside the grave of his wife, Maud A., who died Feb. 7, 1971.