George Jake Witzel

George "Jake" Witzel, age 69, of West, passed away early Saturday afternoon, July 19, 2014 at the Clifton Nursing Home in Clifton. Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. Martin's Cemetery near West, with Msgr. Isidore Rozycki officiating. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Jake was born May 23, 1945 in Ireland, Texas the son of George E. and Hazel (McDonald) Witzel. He attended St. Martin's School and was a graduate of West High School in 1964. Jake then attended T.S.T.C. for drafting and design technology and graduated in 1975. He served his country with the United States Air Force. Jake was an engineer and draftsman for Brazos Electric for 20 years. He later worked for the Temple Veterans Administration Hospital and the City of Waco. Jake was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He enjoyed flying airplanes and was a very gifted handyman who could build or make anything. Jake is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ramon Taylor and Joseph Witzel. Survivors include two daughters, Amy Flanagan and husband Mark of Woodway and Melanie Flanagan and husband Tim of McGregor; a brother Robert Witzel of Austin; a sister, Mary Todd of Austin; grandchildren, Carson, Hudson, Kellan and Kyndal; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 59. The family would like to thank Sunset Hospice and the nursing staff at Clifton Nursing and Rehabilitation for the compassion and love they showed him.