Mercer County native Fred R. Betzel, 82, of Columbus, died at 4:30 p.m. May 16, 2008, at Zusman House Hospice, Columbus.

He was born Feb. 16, 1926, in Mercer County near Chattanooga, to Frederick and Ruth Ralph Williams. On Sept. 18, 1948, he married Margaret Bay Betzel, who died in 1993.

Surviving are a son, Thomas (Meg), Charlotte, N.C.; two daughters, Ann (Robert) Bolton, Columbus, and Martha (Stephen) Holmgren, Grand Rapids, Mich.; a sister, Jeanne Schwab, Huntington Beach, Calif.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a son, Robert Frederick.

He retired after 38 years from Kraft Foods, Inc., where he served as senior vice president of industrial sales and marketing. A graduate of the former Rockford High School, he was a member of Rotary Clubs in Owenton, Ky., Pulaski, Tenn., Memphis, Tenn., and Columbus. He was vice president and president of the board of directors of Preaching and Prayer Ministries, Seattle, Wash. A World War II veteran of the Pacific Theatre, he earned a degree in dairy science from The Ohio State University in 1950.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church, Bexley.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at Schoedinger State Street Chapel, Columbus, and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial is at Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, with a service at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Contributions can be made to the Robert Betzel Chair in Stewardship, Administration and Leadership at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Bexley.