WERTZ, Lewis E. Sr., 77, of Roanoke, passed into "Glory" Tuesday, March 13, 2001.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
A 1943 graduate of Fincastle High School, Mr. Wertz was a charter member of America's "Greatest Generation".
In February 1944, at 20 years old, he married the "girl next door". Sadly, less than a month later he had to leave his beautiful young bride behind as his country called him to duty. By August 1944 he landed overseas to honorably fight for our freedom. Unfortunately, in early September 1944 he was critically injured in Breast, France, receiving the "Purple Heart" and numerous other medals of honor. While trying to recover from his wounds in an Army hospital, his worried young bride back home delivered Lewis Jr. shortly before Christmas 1944. By the following March he had recovered well enough to finally come home and see his wife and meet his young son.
Robbed of his youth with a war wounded body and severely arthritic limbs, he was disabled for the rest of his life. He followed in his father's footsteps and became an Optician. Wertz Optical was created and "Mr. Wertz" was known by many as the "Greatest Optician Around", comfortably satisfying eyeglass wearers in the Roanoke Valley for over 50 years. His Wertz Optical legacy continues to this day with his youngest son, Kevin.
From 1944-1957 his seven children were born and his nine passenger 57 Ford station wagon was completely filled. Along with his passion for his loving family and his work he enjoyed watching stock car races and listening to good old country music. World War II veteran and hero, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, faithful patriot and disciple of our Lord. Our great loss is surely Heaven's great gain.
He was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Sharon Wertz Cheatham in 1995, his father, Ferman Edward Wertz in 1968, his mother, Lydia Parker Wertz in 1983, and his brothers, Warren, Eugene, Ray and Ralph.
The Roanoke Times, 16 March 2001
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
A 1943 graduate of Fincastle High School, Mr. Wertz was a charter member of America's "Greatest Generation".
In February 1944, at 20 years old, he married the "girl next door". Sadly, less than a month later he had to leave his beautiful young bride behind as his country called him to duty. By August 1944 he landed overseas to honorably fight for our freedom. Unfortunately, in early September 1944 he was critically injured in Breast, France, receiving the "Purple Heart" and numerous other medals of honor. While trying to recover from his wounds in an Army hospital, his worried young bride back home delivered Lewis Jr. shortly before Christmas 1944. By the following March he had recovered well enough to finally come home and see his wife and meet his young son.
Robbed of his youth with a war wounded body and severely arthritic limbs, he was disabled for the rest of his life. He followed in his father's footsteps and became an Optician. Wertz Optical was created and "Mr. Wertz" was known by many as the "Greatest Optician Around", comfortably satisfying eyeglass wearers in the Roanoke Valley for over 50 years. His Wertz Optical legacy continues to this day with his youngest son, Kevin.
From 1944-1957 his seven children were born and his nine passenger 57 Ford station wagon was completely filled. Along with his passion for his loving family and his work he enjoyed watching stock car races and listening to good old country music. World War II veteran and hero, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, faithful patriot and disciple of our Lord. Our great loss is surely Heaven's great gain.
He was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Sharon Wertz Cheatham in 1995, his father, Ferman Edward Wertz in 1968, his mother, Lydia Parker Wertz in 1983, and his brothers, Warren, Eugene, Ray and Ralph.
The Roanoke Times, 16 March 2001
WERTZ, Lewis E. Sr., 77, of Roanoke, passed into "Glory" Tuesday, March 13, 2001.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
A 1943 graduate of Fincastle High School, Mr. Wertz was a charter member of America's "Greatest Generation".
In February 1944, at 20 years old, he married the "girl next door". Sadly, less than a month later he had to leave his beautiful young bride behind as his country called him to duty. By August 1944 he landed overseas to honorably fight for our freedom. Unfortunately, in early September 1944 he was critically injured in Breast, France, receiving the "Purple Heart" and numerous other medals of honor. While trying to recover from his wounds in an Army hospital, his worried young bride back home delivered Lewis Jr. shortly before Christmas 1944. By the following March he had recovered well enough to finally come home and see his wife and meet his young son.
Robbed of his youth with a war wounded body and severely arthritic limbs, he was disabled for the rest of his life. He followed in his father's footsteps and became an Optician. Wertz Optical was created and "Mr. Wertz" was known by many as the "Greatest Optician Around", comfortably satisfying eyeglass wearers in the Roanoke Valley for over 50 years. His Wertz Optical legacy continues to this day with his youngest son, Kevin.
From 1944-1957 his seven children were born and his nine passenger 57 Ford station wagon was completely filled. Along with his passion for his loving family and his work he enjoyed watching stock car races and listening to good old country music. World War II veteran and hero, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, faithful patriot and disciple of our Lord. Our great loss is surely Heaven's great gain.
He was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Sharon Wertz Cheatham in 1995, his father, Ferman Edward Wertz in 1968, his mother, Lydia Parker Wertz in 1983, and his brothers, Warren, Eugene, Ray and Ralph.
The Roanoke Times, 16 March 2001
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
A 1943 graduate of Fincastle High School, Mr. Wertz was a charter member of America's "Greatest Generation".
In February 1944, at 20 years old, he married the "girl next door". Sadly, less than a month later he had to leave his beautiful young bride behind as his country called him to duty. By August 1944 he landed overseas to honorably fight for our freedom. Unfortunately, in early September 1944 he was critically injured in Breast, France, receiving the "Purple Heart" and numerous other medals of honor. While trying to recover from his wounds in an Army hospital, his worried young bride back home delivered Lewis Jr. shortly before Christmas 1944. By the following March he had recovered well enough to finally come home and see his wife and meet his young son.
Robbed of his youth with a war wounded body and severely arthritic limbs, he was disabled for the rest of his life. He followed in his father's footsteps and became an Optician. Wertz Optical was created and "Mr. Wertz" was known by many as the "Greatest Optician Around", comfortably satisfying eyeglass wearers in the Roanoke Valley for over 50 years. His Wertz Optical legacy continues to this day with his youngest son, Kevin.
From 1944-1957 his seven children were born and his nine passenger 57 Ford station wagon was completely filled. Along with his passion for his loving family and his work he enjoyed watching stock car races and listening to good old country music. World War II veteran and hero, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, faithful patriot and disciple of our Lord. Our great loss is surely Heaven's great gain.
He was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Sharon Wertz Cheatham in 1995, his father, Ferman Edward Wertz in 1968, his mother, Lydia Parker Wertz in 1983, and his brothers, Warren, Eugene, Ray and Ralph.
The Roanoke Times, 16 March 2001
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