Edward Joseph "EJ" Wetzel, 64, of Burtner Road died peacefully at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot.

Born in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Edward Wetzel and the late Agnes (Schmidt) Wetzel.

Mr. Wetzel was a financial planner in the Butler and Pittsburgh area for more than 40 years.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served in the Special Forces.

EJ had a passion for motorcycles and animals. He was known for his strong determination, which was evident in his creation of SonnyBlest Acres in 1989, a boarding and training facility for horses.

Mr. Wetzel is survived by his wife, Ruth (Wright) Wetzel, whom he married Feb. 14, 1986; and two sons, Jeffrey C. Wetzel of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Edward A. Wetzel and a granddaughter, Sara, of Bettendorf, Iowa. Two brothers, Dick Wetzel and Jim Wetzel, both of Pittsburgh; and one sister, Jane Doyle of Pittsburgh, also survive him.

Mr. Wetzel was preceded in death by one sister, Joy; and his mother and father.

<B>WETZEL</B> — Private services will be held for Edward Joseph "EJ" Wetzel, who died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008,Arrangements were completed by the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home.</B>Memorial donations may be made to the Butler County Humane Society, 1027 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.