JOHN WETTSTEIN

JOPLIN- A celebration of life will begin with a viewing from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, for John Arthur Wettstein, 83, Joplin, formerly of Liberal, who died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. Masonic Rites will be held at 6 p.m.

On Tuesday morning, at 10 a.m., family and friends will continue his celebration of life at the mortuary, followed by a procession to the Liberal Cemetery for burial services and release of balloons.

A mask that covered one’s nose and mouth wis required inside the mortuary.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 63 years, Fern (Neuschafer) Wettstein; his sister, Patsy (Wettstein) Badnin; three loving daughters, Pam Levi, Trudy Peterson and husband Mark and Susan Espinoza-Sanders and husband Paul Espinoza; six grandchildren, Brandon Levi, Kristin Peterson, Kaitlin (Peterson) Briner and husband Kevin, Christopher Peterson, Layla Espinoza and Alexis Espinoza and a great-grandson, Graham Arthur Briner, who will carry on his middle name.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Judy (Wettstein) Nicholas.

Mr. Wettstein was born to Henry and Dorothy (Renn) Wettstein. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, where he served as union president for nine out of the 25 years he worked for KCS. He came out of retirement to job coach over 100 young adults at Preferred Family Services, specializing in job coaching those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.