Norbert A. Wethington

Deacon Norbert A. Wethington, PhD, was called home by his Risen Lord on November 29, 2025 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg, OH. Born September 14, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of Norbert and Sophie (Rudzinski) Wethington. He was a 1961 graduate of Dayton's Chaminade High School and a 1965 graduate of University of Dayton. He earned his Masters degree in 1967 from John Carroll University in Cleveland. On August 13, 1966, he married Marti Vannice, whom he met while both were Civil Air Patrol Cadets.

Norb was a gifted teacher. He was most comfortable in the front of a formal classroom, whether as high school teacher covering American Literature or Christian Family Living; or a Civil Air Patrol Major teaching Military Drill and Ceremonies to Ohio Wing cadets; or teaching First

Aid/CPR to local Police Academy Cadets; or teaching Church History to Catholic ministry students; or teaching Ethics or modern aviation history to college students.

In 1997, he retired as Dean of Humanities at Terra State Community College and earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Toledo. He then pursued a post-doctoral opportunity at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University in England.

Outside of his faith, family and teaching, his next love was aviation. Norb served 16 years in Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol and volunteered 18 years at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. He was also a licensed private glider pilot.

After a short time teaching at Tiffin University, he took on the ministry of leading marriage preparation programs at St. Joseph Church in Fremont.

He had served as a deacon since 1978, with assignments at both St. Joseph and St. Ann Catholic churches; and retired from active ministry in 2014.

Deacon Norb is survived by his wife Marti; sister Karol (Jack Handrahan); children Paula (David Rose), Mark, Eric (Margo Gentile), Kristen (Joe Arcilla), Rebecca (Mark Molyet), Lisa, and Bethany; fourteen grandchildren and three great-grand children; bothers-in-law, Patrick and Neil Vannice and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Patrick Gangwer; brothers-in-law, William and Edmund Vannice.

Family will welcome friends from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday December 5, 2025 at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home, 425 E. State St., Fremont. Vigil Service begins at 7:30 p.m. Deacon Mel Shell presiding and good friend Bishop Robert Jones of Rivers of Living Waters Church will offer one of the witnesses.

Additional visitation will take place Saturday, December 6, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 709 Croghan St., Fremont from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. with the funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on.

Internment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Individuals wishing to donate can send their gifts to the Terra State Community College Foundation, St. Joseph Parish, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation or to the Military Archdiocese of the United States.