KNOXVILLE – John G. Wenzel, 67, of Knoxville, passed away Nov. 20, 2022 at OSF St. Clare Medical Center, Princeton. 

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7 p.m. in the funeral home and one hour prior to services. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Knoxville. 

John was born Jan. 11, 1955 in Fort Ord, Calif., to Dale and Evelyn (Rochnowski) Wenzel. He married Wendy Swope on Dec. 27, 1975 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton.

John is survived by his wife Wendy of Knoxville; his daughter Stacy Wenzel of Bloomington; his two sons, Matt (April) Wenzel of Washington and Paul Wenzel of Peoria; his parents, Dale and Evelyn Wenzel of Van Orin; his mother-in-law, Elaine Swope of Compton; three brothers, Guy (Sue) Wenzel of LaMoille, Dale Wenzel of Van Orin and Nate (Robyn) Wenzel of Normal; five sisters, Lynn (Randy) Perkins of Wadsworth, Deb (Bruce) Bartels of Waynesville, Pam Hiller of Normal, Andrea (Paul) Couillard of Normal and Kim (Darin) Croegaert of Lindenhurst; and two grandchildren, Savannah Wenzel and Kaden Wenzel. 

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Gary Hiller and his father-in-law Elroy Swope.  

John was a 1973 graduate of LaMoille High School. He attended Illinois State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1977 and then a Master of Science in Education. He was a science teacher at Knoxville Junior High and coached several different sports there and Knoxville High School. He also assisted in running the family farm after his retirement. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Sons of American Legion. 

Memorials may be directed to the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.