Obituary of Ralph O. Wenzell

Ralph O. Wenzell Died April 18, 2008 Ralph Wenzell, 89, a longtime resident of Fairfax County, died April 18 at Inova Fairfax Hospital from pneumonia. Mr. Wenzell was born in July of 1918 in Herndon, VA, son of the late George Wenzell and Maggie Borden. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Thelma Wenzell and two sons. His son Mike Wenzell and wife Lois, of Oakton, Va; four children, Jennifer Sharp, Lara Larson, Stephanie Wenzell, and Jeff Wenzell; plus three great grandchildren. His son, Greg Wenzell, resides in WVa. He was preceded in death by his brother John Wenzell, and sisters, Evelyn Brown, Ruth Roe, and Sylvia Bridges. As a member of the U.S. Army, in Company 2, 130 th Battalion, 30 th Regiment, Mr. Wenzell served during World War II and was awarded several medals. He retired from Fairfax County Park Authority after 13 years of service as the groundskeeper foreman at Burke Lake Park. Mr. Wenzell will be remembered by many passersby as the bicycle man on West Ox Road since as a hobby after retirement, he fixed bicycles and lawn mowers that he sold or gave away. When he wasn't repairing bicycles, he could be found in his vegetable garden. Mr. Wenzell was buried in National Memorial Park, Falls Church on April 22. In honor of Mr. Wenzell, the family suggests contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association.