Royal C. Wessels, Sr.

Royal C. Wessels Sr., 89, passed away December 12, 2024, at his home in Elkhart.  He was born July 21, 1935, in Munising, MI.

Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Isa “Fay” Wessels; five children, Richard Wessels, Royal (Paula) Wessels Jr., Tracy (David) Kiefer, Annette Wessels, Joseph (Brandy) Wessels; and fifteen grandchildren, Ryan, Mallory, Eric, Ashley, Amanda, Justina, Kevin Royal, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Aubrey, Gabriel, Victoria, Ryan, Connor, and Joseph. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren: Harper, Sofia, and Anastasia.

Royal was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Cody) Wessels; one grandson, James; and eight siblings: Gret, Ina May, Ella, Albert, Betty, Martin, Ettabell, and Leola.

Royal proudly served in the U.S. Navy; while there, he was a sonar technician in the Vietnam War and was on the USS Collett Destroyer ship. He was an adventurous man who enjoyed scuba diving, camping, hang gliding, building model airplanes, spending time on the farm and going to museums. He will mostly be remembered for being kind and honest man, who truly loved his wife and family.

Per his wishes, cremation will take place, and a celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date. 

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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