Wesley H. Betler
Wesley Howard Betler, age 75, died at his home in Norwich, CT on Thursday, December 17, 2015.
He was born February 24, 1940, in Gloversville, NY, the son of Howard and Ellen Betler. Wes attended Kingsboro Grade School in Gloversville prior to his family’s move to Berlin in 1948. He completed his grade school education at Washington School in Berlin and was a 1958 graduate of Berlin High School. Wes was active in Boy Scouts and served on the staff at Twin Lakes Boy Scout Camp during his high school years. Following graduation, he attended Northland College in Ashland, WI for one semester before joining the U.S. Navy in 1959. He took his basic training at San Diego and his radar training at Virginia Beach. Following four years of service to his country, Wes worked in the shipyards at Groton, CT. After a serious illness, he took various odd jobs in and around the New London, CT area, before finally establishing his home in Norwich in 1996. He was an avid reader and a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, as well as an enthusiastic cyclist and short-wave radio operator. He is survived by his two sisters, Judy Williams and Karen (Ralph) Thorp; one brother, Lincoln (Karen) Betler; three nieces, Allison Thorp, Danielle Thorp and Kathy (Peter) Blaas; two nephews, Donald (Dawn) Betler and Paul (Katie) Williams; four great-nieces, Kristian Blaas, Makena Betler, Kailee Betler, and Jaden Williams; and one great-nephew, Gabriel Williams. He was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal and maternal grandparents; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held in May at Oakwood Cemetery in Berlin with Rev. Scott T. Piper officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin. Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.