A businessman who worked for the betterment of the Marietta community died this week.

Joseph H. Wesel, 86, of Marietta died Monday in Marietta.

“He was a pillar of the community,” said Jim Vuksic, a board member for Children Services for many years. “He took an active role in whatever he did.”

Peoples Bank President and CEO Chuck Sulerzyski said Wesel’s passing was a loss for the whole community. “Mr. Wesel loyally served on Peoples’ Board of Directors for 36 years. During that time he led Peoples as Chairman of the Board from 1991 until 2003 and from 2005 until 2008,” he said. “Peoples benefited greatly from Mr. Wesel’s wisdom and integrity. He left a remarkable legacy and will be missed by many.”

Wesel was born May 2, 1929 in Marietta to William Francis and Genevieve Catherine Smithberger Wesel. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he served during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954.

Wesel helped build his family’s business, Marietta Ignition. He worked with his family to build the business from a small machine shop and parts store to a multi-state regional operation.

Wesel served as vice president and general manager of Marietta Ignition Inc. from 1954 to 1977, and president and general manager from 1977 to 1983. He then served as president and chairman of the board of Marietta Automotive Warehouse Inc. from May 1983 to 2001.

Wesel was president of Auto Paint Works Inc. (formerly DA Kuhn Co.) from 1973 to 2001, and president of W.D.A. Inc. from 1954 to 2011. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Ohio Automotive Wholesalers Association from 1973 to 1989, serving as president in 1979.

He was active in the community, being the longest standing member of the Board of Directors of Washington County Children Services Board where he served from April 1973 to Dec. 30, 2009, including three terms as president in 1977, 1988 and 2003.

Dave Copen, longtime director of Washington County Children Services, worked with Wesel for almost 40 years as a caseworker for a few years and as the executive director for 33 years.

Wesel was part of the board who hired him as the executive director in 1979.

“He was a tremendous and faithful servant,” Copen said. “He rarely missed a board meeting.”

Copen said Wesel had a sharp mind and was a good businessman.

“He was extremely brilliant,” Copen said “That really describes Joe.”

Copen recalls times board members were writing out figures trying to figure something out and Wesel always seemed to be able to get the answer quicker than anyone.

“He would run the numbers in his head before any of us could get it written out on paper,” Copen said. “He was sharp as a tack. I have always had a lot of respect for Joe.”

Part of that respect came from Wesel’s commitment to his family and his community.

“He was an all-around great guy,” Copen said. “This is a tremendous loss to the community.”

Many have said Wesel helped build that agency into what it was.

Wesel was always committed to the Children Services Board and always gave it his all, Vuksic said.

“He was in it to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish,” Vuksic said. “He had a good head for business, but he was also a good human being.”

Elected to the Board of Directors of The Peoples Banking and Trust Company in January 1974, Wesel served until November 2010. He also served on the Board of Directors of Peoples Bancorp from April 30, 1980 to November 2010. He served as chairman of the board for many years and was elected as vice chairman of the board from July 1, 2003 to June 9, 2005.

Wesel was committed to his Catholic faith. He was elected to St. Mary’s Parish Council from 1969 to 1972 and from 1976 to 1979. Wesel was chairman of the Capital Fund Drive for the 1972 major church renovation. He served on the Parish Finance Council for many years.

Funeral Liturgy, with Mass, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, with the Rev. Msgr. John Michael Campbell as celebrant. Burial will be at New St. Mary’s Cemetery, where full military rites will be observed.

The family will greet friends at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a Vigil Service at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.