Wesley Hargitt Wertz

Wesley H. Wertz, 80, of St. Charles, MO died suddenly Saturday October 5, 2002 at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles. He was born March 2, 1922 to Henry David and Mabel (Hargitt) Wertz in Quinter, Kansas. Dr. Wertz was a retired veterinarian who practiced in St. Charles, MO from 1949 to 1991. He was born and raised on a farm south of Quinter, KS where he developed his early love of animals and an appreciation for the rural life. In 1940 he attended Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine where he was enlisted in the Army Specialized Training Program (A.S.T.P.) an accelerated curriculum, completing his veterinary training in August 1944. He married Betty Stewart in Eskridge, KS on December 16, 1944. They began their life to-gether in Sedalia and Higginsville, MO moving to St. Charles in 1949 to begin a mixed large and small animal practice on South Main at First Capitol Drive. In 1953, Dr. Wertz was recalled to military service and served as a captain in the US Air Force until 1955. In 1957 he formed a partnership with Dr. James H. Evans. Dr. Wertz served as President of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association as well as delegate to the AVMA and 5 years on the Council of Education of the AVMA. He was awarded Veterinarian of the Year in 1966 by the MVMA. He was a charter member of the St. Charles chapter of SPEBSQSA, an organization the promoted barbershop singing in America. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on various committees and as a trustee of the Church. He also sang for more than 40 years in the Church choir. Dr. Wertz served as Merit Badge Counselor and as District Chairman for the Daniel Boone District of Boy Scouts of America. He served on the personnel committee of the Police and Fire Board for the City of St. Charles. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Moolah Temple and Daniel Boone Shrine Club. He served on the Advisory Board of Directors of the Salvation Army of St. Charles County. Dr. Wertz, along with Dr. Evans, retired from veterinary practice in 1991, but he never relinquished his life long love of animals or his active volunteerism. He is survived by his wife, Betty Stewart Wertz of St. Charles, MO; a daughter, Christine Wertz McConnell and her husband, James L. McConnell of Green Bay, WI; a son, Richard S. Wertz and his wife Lizbeth Boggs Wertz of Liberty, MO. “Papa Doc” has four grandchildren: Matthew Stewart Wertz of Nashville, TN, Abigail Lee Wertz, Kate Elizabeth Wertz and Rebekah Anne Wertz of Liberty, MO; one sister Kathryn Wertz Chaudoin of Hodgenville, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Howard and George and one sister, Mary Ellen Paynter. Service will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday October 9 at the First United Methodist Church, 801 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles with burial in the Methodist Church Cemetery on Boonslick Rd., St. Charles. Visitaion will be from 4:00 PM—8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 8 at Baue Funeral Home, 620 Jefferston St., St. Charles, MO. Memorials can be made to any of the following: Shriners Hospital for Children, The Salvation Army of St. Charles Co., First United Methodist Church, Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine.