Homer Frederick Wentzel, Sr.

Funeral Service for Homer Frederick Wentzel will be at 1:00 on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at First Pentecostal Church, in DeRidder, LA with Senior Pastor Zale Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Pine Island Cemetery, Pickering LA with Pastor Sandy Guynn officiating, under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home of DeRidder, LA. Friends may visit on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. at First Pentecostal Church DeRidder, LA until time of service.

Homer Frederick Wentzel, age 89, passed from this life Sunday, July 26th, 2026, at Harbor Hospice in Lake Charles, LA. He was preceded in death by; wife, Betty Crow Wentzel; wife, Gayle Pelt Wentzel; parents, Andrew Wentzel and Lucille Wentzel; sisters: Juanita Green, Irene Benline and Wanda Sleppy; brothers: Robert Wentzel and Adam "Atz" Wentzel.

He is survived by his children: Homer “Rick” (Amy) Wentzel, Jr., Brenda (Michael) Canales, David (Barbara) Wentzel, Diana (Mark) Kampfer, Charles “Chuck” (Traci) Wentzel, Sherry (Ron Lanassa) Wentzel, Carl Hanchey, David Hanchey, Allison Hanchey; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Pallbearers will be Michael Canales, II., Adam Wentzel, Jacob Kampfer, Wyatt Kampfer, Tyler Wentzel, Jacob Courmier. Honorary Pallbearers will be Luke Hanchey, Stephen Dunn, and William Booth

Mr. Wentzel passed from this life Sunday, July 26, 2026, Lake Charles Louisiana at the age of 89 years old. He was born on January 19, 1937, in Galena, OH, the eighth child of eight to Andrew Wentzel and Lucille Wentzel. He grew up in Columbus, OH before joining the United States Army in 1955. He served our country in various locations including Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Camp Zama, Japan; Fort Knox, KY; Neu Ulm, Germany; Fort Polk, LA; Vietnam; and returning to Fort Polk, LA until his retirement on September 29, 1975. He received numerous awards during his time in the U. S. Army including the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Drill Sargent’s Badge, and the Purple Heart.

After retiring from the Army, he worked as a Pipefitter Supervisor until retiring in 2002. He enjoyed spending time with his family and could be seen at many of his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school and athletic events. He was also affectionally known as “Sonny” to many of his Ohio family. He was a member of First Pentecostal Church in DeRidder, LA.

*The family would like to recognize the compassionate care provided to their father by Dr. Chris Granger, Ja’Cinda Carter, and Laci Goodwin.

*In leu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Homer Wentzel to M.D. Anderson or a charity of your choice.