Kenneth R. Hetzel

Kenneth Raymond Hetzel, Jr., 98, went peacefully to the Lord on August 2nd, 2023, following two hospitalizations. A resident of Dacula, GA since 2019, he was born May 2, 1925, in Maplewood, NJ to Kenneth and Florence (Deltau) Hetzel and graduated from Columbia High School in 1943.

Ken was inducted into the Army on August 27th, 1943, at Fort Dix and retired as Sergeant on March 13th, 1946. He moved to Maplewood, NJ and eventually to Keyport, NJ. In January 1950, he met Ann Laing from Metuchen, NJ. On November 22nd, 1950, Ann and Ken were married at the First Presbyterian Church (Metuchen, NJ). They lived in Keyport, NJ and loved sailing. He graduated from Rutgers University (June 1954). They moved to Springfield, NJ where they raised their 3 boys. He worked for several companies before joining Puritan Chemical Company, later was transferred to Atlanta in 1976 and retired after 27 years of service in 1994. Weekends were often spent sailing on Lake Lanier.

Ken and Ann were very active in the churches they attended. While members of First Presbyterian Church (Springfield, NJ), Ken was ordained a deacon (January 1959), member of the Board of Deacons and then President of the Board. He was ordained an Elder (1962) and served on the Session. He was active in the Men’s Club, served as President and taught 5th grade Sunday School until he was appointed Superintendent of the Presbyterian Church School in 1971 where he served until moving to Atlanta in August of 1976. Ann and Ken joined Embry Hills United Methodist Church (Atlanta, GA). After moving to Ocala, FL, Ken served and chaired the Staff, Parrish, Relations Committee at Ocala West United Methodist Church. In January of 2002, they joined Countryside Presbyterian Church where Ken was Treasurer and served on the financial oversight committee for the new church building project.

Ken was active in civic affairs being appointed and serving as President of the Springfield NJ Board of Library Trustees and served on the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce. He served in various offices of Lions Club, and in May of 2002, he received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award which is the highest honor bestowed on a Lion. Ken was a Master Mason of Caesarea Lodge No. 64 of Free and Accepted Masons in Keyport, NJ and received recognition for 55 years of membership.

Ken is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ann Laing Hetzel; sons, Glenn of Mission Viejo, CA, Donald and Shari (Wrona) Hetzel of Chattanooga, TN and David and Michele (Barber) Hetzel of Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren, James Hetzel, Morgan Hetzel, Amanda (Hetzel) Wallace, Caroline (Hetzel) Holland, Madalyn (Hetzel) Slaton, Gunnar Hetzel, and Kaitlyn Hetzel; and his great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Raymond Hetzel, Sr., mother. Florence (Deltau) Hetzel and his brother, Richard Deltau Hetzel.

A Celebration of Life service open to all who knew and loved Ken will be held at Christ Place Church in the South Worship Room in Flowery Branch, GA on October 20th, 2023, at 10:00 AM.

The family thanks the medical professionals of Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton, GA, Northside Hospital Gwinnett, and Life Care Center of Lawrenceville for their dedicated care during Ken’s final seven weeks. The family also thanks the dedicated and professional staff of Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center for their compassionate care during his final days.

Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Ken at hamiltonmillchapel.com