March 4th, 1936 – October 25th, 2024

Mr. Paul Joseph Wessel, 88, from St. Peters, MO, passed away peacefully on the 25 of October 2024.

Mr. Wessel was born on 4 March 1936, to Bernard and Margaret Wessel, in St. Louis City, MO. Paul graduated from Christian Brothers College, and continued his education in Computer Science at Washington University. On the 26th of September 1955, Paul enlisted into Washington University’s Air Force ROTC program, and went to Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, TX, in 1956.    

Paul joined the Air Force so he could travel the world, and use the knowledge that he had to better our great nation. However, the Air Force had different plans for Paul. They decided with his background at the Christian Brothers College that his skills would best be used if he was a Tactical Instructor, so Paul continued out his military career training new recruits. On the 28th of October 1959, Paul completed his military commitment after receiving a Good Conduct Medal and an Honorable Discharge.

After the military, Paul began as a Senior Systems Analyst at Monsanto and he retired after dedicating over 25 years of service. He wrote programs for company-wide computers that went on to help the world progress to what we have today.

In 1970 Paul married Judith K. Johnson. They went on to raise four caring and successful children, Samantha M. Basye, Tabatha L. Wessel, Paul C. (Angela) Wessel, and Timothy M. (Susan) Wessel.

Paul enjoyed basking in as much sunlight as the days would allow. He enjoyed everything from gardening and bird watching to city wide bike rides and watching the sunset. Once the sun went down you would find him with a Budweiser and watching NHRA, Heineken and a Cardinals game, or a Guinness and Blues Hockey, depending on the season. One of the things he enjoyed the most was music. Everything from Tchycovski and Bach to Dave Brubeck Quartet and John Denver.

Throughout Paul’s adult years, he spent his additional free time hanging out at Dragstrips, H&W Garage,and working on his Black 1937 Buick Special. He acquired many friendships through these channels. Drag racing brought him an additional brother in law, Wayne Arteaga which broadened his beloved lifelong circle of friends.    

Paul Wessel was preceded by his two older sisters, Margaret Taschler and Bernadette (Bernie) Arteaga, and then his wife Judith K. Wessel. He is survived by his youngest sister Elizabeth (Liz) Kalges, all of his children, and his grandchildren;  Sams sons and daughters Vincent, Phillip, Angie, Nicole, April Popovich, Haley Dietemann and her husband Kaleb, Evan Wilcox, Owen Wessel, Erynn and Dominik Wessel, and his great grandkids Ciaran Wessel, Anthony C, Declan, and Cameron 3 of the 14 Popivich’s

Paul’s Celebration of Life will be held:

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Kohl-Jeck VFW Hall Post 2866

66 V F W Memorial Ln

Saint Charles, MO 63376-5168.