Michael Wessel

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Michael Robert "Mick" Wessel was born in Cape Girardeau on April 27, 1948, to Clarence Gus and Charlotte Sophia Gross Wessel. He went to his heavenly home Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, with his family surrounding him.

He started school in the small one-room schoolhouse in Dutchtown. The family moved to Chaffee in 1955, where Mick started the second grade. During high school, he was a three-sport athlete, graduating with the Chaffee High School Class of 1966. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Upon graduation, Mick made his way home to Chaffee Junior/Senior High to teach junior high math and coach from January 1971 until his retirement in 1997. Mick started as an assistant football coach under Coach Terry Glenzy for two years, and was then assistant to Charlie Vickery. Mick and Charlie also started the Chaffee Junior High football program in 1974.

Mick took the reins of the Red Devil program in 1978. That team reached the state semifinals, losing to the eventual state champion, Cass-Midway. His 1979 Red Devil team reached the quarterfinals, and in 1983, the Red Devils became the 1A state champions, defeating Norborne at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

During his career, Mick was on the Missouri State High School Football Advisory Committee, served on the board of directors of the State Coaches Association and coached in the Lions Club All-Star Game in 1979 and 1984. During his education career, he started the girls basketball program in 1975, helped fundraise and build the weight room, coached boys basketball, helped start the junior high track program and helped coach the shot and discus.

After retiring from education, Mick did precision land grading, worked for C106 radio selling ads, managed Whitewater Co-Op, and for the last 10 years owned Mick Wessel Seed Co.

He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where he served as head elder, and also as the treasurer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chaffee for several years.

Mick married Linda Lou Cunningham on Jan. 10, 1970, in Chaffee. To this union, two children were born, Steven (Jill) Wessel and Jamie (Shawn) Nix. He has five grandchildren, Lilly Wessel, Andrew Nix, Eli Nix, Zeke Wessel and Cale Wessel. Mick also had a special son, Tony (Pam) Dalton of Trophy Club, Texas, and special grandchildren, Jayden Welch and Kage Friga of Chaffee.

He is also survived by three brothers and their spouses, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday, Jan. 28, at Chaffee High School gymnasium.

Funeral will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the gymnasium, with Pastor John Dehne officiating. Burial will follow at Union Park Cemetery in Chaffee.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked contributions be made to Chaffee Public School Foundation-Coach Mick Wessel Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks may be mailed to the superintendent's office at Chaffee High School, 517 W. Yoakum Ave., Chaffee, MO 63740.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.