Benjamin James Weitzel Sr.

Benjamin James Weitzel Sr. age 69, passed away Friday April 9, 2021 at Ascension All Saints Hospital. He was born in Racine, November 20, 1951, son of Benjamin and Bernice (Janowski) Weitzel. Ben attended St. Rose school for elementary/middle school and graduated St. Catherine in 1969.

On June 17, 1972, Ben was united in marriage to Susan G. Simon. They were only apart for 2 years and one day, since Susan passed away on April 8, 2019. He is survived by their three children, Gretchen (Matt) Talsma, Ben Jr.(Esther) Weitzel, and Joe Weitzel (fiancé Stephanie Czosnek). He will be missed by his three grandchildren, Logan, Samuel, and Joshua Weitzel, sons of Ben Jr. and Esther. He is survived by his sisters Kathy (Don) Burrows and Betsy Haedt, and sisters-in-law Jeanne(Randy) Lambrecht, Dawn Simon, and Kathy Simon, nieces, nephews other relatives and many dear friends. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Bernice Weitzel, father-in-law and mother-in-law Richard and Beverly Simon, brothers-in-law Peter Simon, Chuck Simon, and Steve Haedt. Ben was loved dearly, and he will be sadly missed.

Ben supported his family through 48 years of dedicated service at Piggly Wiggly. He worked at all Racine locations during his tenure. He started as a utility clerk and worked his way up to assistant manager. He retired from the Durand Ave Piggly Wiggly as a receiver in 2017.

After Ben retired, he cared for his ailing wife, while dealing with medical complications of his own. During his younger years, he was an avid bowler. After Sue passed, he took up woodworking and whittling. Ben would be found sitting on his porch with his “grand dog,” Morgan whenever the weather was nice. He carved walking sticks and made carpenters toolboxes for his children and grandchildren. He otherwise may be seen listening to the radio or a Brewer game with Morgan as he greeted neighbors returning from work. He would chat with all the neighbors and sometimes enjoy a cold beverage together.

The family would like to thank all the nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists that cared for him for duration of his many hospital stays at Ascension hospital.

Private services and interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to the Humane Society are suggested by the family.