Mayor David J. Wenzel, 80, died Wednesday, November 5, at Geno Merli Veterans Center. His wife is the former Janet Pantle. Born in Scranton, he was a son of the late Edward A. and Doris Heidig Wenzel.
A lifelong public servant, David was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service as a First Lieutenant for the U.S. Army in Vietnam, where he was nearly killed by a land mine. Upon his return from war with prosthetic legs, he earned his MBA from the University of Scranton and continued to serve his community: first as tax collector, then as Scranton's mayor, and later on the Executive Committee of the National Council on Disability. A fierce advocate for the disabled, he led with a sense of fiscal responsibility and compassion for the less fortunate.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a sister in-law, Carol Wenzel; and niece Carlie Pisasale and husband, Peter, Rhode Island; and nephew, Christian Wenzel and wife, Suzanne, Florida:
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Bruce Wenzel.
In accordance with his wishes funeral services have been privately held with Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton PA 18505.
Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the David Wenzel Tree House Fund at nwrfh.com/wenzel. Condolences may be mailed to the care of the funeral home or emailed from the funeral home website, nwrfh.com.