Gayle Dianne Pelt Wentzel, 73, of DeRidder, LA, passed from this life on Friday, October 16, 2020.

Gayle was a 1965 Graduate of Rosepine High School, where she was voted most athletic and most popular. She was an outstanding star basketball player who could make a shot from virtually anywhere on the floor.  She even proved this to her own children one day, while they were in school, she made a half-court shot using no rim or back board. She was unbeatable and no one could compare when it came to the game of horse. Especially the free throws! She was awarded a basketball scholarship to Northwestern State University. Gayle had jobs that spanned several years, she worked at KR Hanchey with students that had special needs, and remained in contact with several of those students to this day.  She also worked at Department of Public Works (DPW) at Ft. Polk with many years of dedicated service.  Gayle was a faithful servant and represented a devout woman of God. She was a helpful caring heart that extended to all her family and friends. She was available to those immediately especially when called upon. She greatly loved all three of her children and grandchildren. Her heart was full of love for her family, and it expanded by a huge number when she married Homer, and it grew even more as the family grew.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of twenty-two years, Homer Wentzel of DeRidder, LA; sons, Carl A. Hanchey of DeRidder, LA, David Hanchey and Tammy of DeRidder, LA; daughter, Allison Hanchey of DeRidder, LA; sons by marriage, Homer F. Wentzel, Jr. and Amy of Walker, LA, David Wentzel and Barbie of DeRidder, LA, Chuck Wentzel and Tracy of Troy, MI; daughters by marriage, Brenda Canales and Mike of Denham Springs, LA, Diana Kampfer and Mark of Pickering, LA, Sherry Wentzel of Denham Springs, LA; brothers, Billy Ray Pelt and Velma of Orange, TX, Charleston Pelt and Dodie of Rosepine, LA, Doug Pelt of Panama City, FL; sisters, Rosemary Braun of Beaumont, TX, Barbara Cooley and Dennis of Rosepine, LA, Geraldine Governale and Mike of Grapevine, TX;  grandchildren, Keighton, Luke, Ava, Kelli, Austin, Crystal, Michele, Michael, Adam, Jamie, Lauren, Jacob, Wyatt, Tyler and Grace; nine great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Ernestine Pelt; brother, William Pelt; sister, Charlene O’Bannion.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 19, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at First Pentecostal Church in DeRidder, LA. Visitation will continue Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 PM also at First Pentecostal Church. Brother Zale Lewis will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Wyatt Kampfer, Jacob Kampfer, Jake Courmier, Michael Canales, Stephen Dunn, Adam Wentzel and Austin Moore. Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.