~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, NAL/PAA/DL Capt. John Stephen
Woelfel
JULY 11, 1940 – APRIL 6, 2024
Sharing this news as was received from the
National Airlines alumni site, the passing of retired National/Pan Am/Delta Air
Lines pilot Captain John Stephen Woelfel, age 83. John began his commercial flying career 04-08-1968. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, and by
his children and their families.
Obituary information can be viewed online at
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/northport-al/john-woelfel-11758849
PCN memorial site
Obituary : John Stephen Woelfel
John Stephen Woelfel (formerly of Ocala,
Florida) passed away peacefully on April 6, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
surrounded by loving family. He was 83.
John was predeceased by his parents John and
Irma Woelfel.
He was a devoted husband to Mary Ellen
Woelfel, his beloved wife, with whom he shared countless cherished moments and
built a life filled with love, travel, horses and adventure.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by
his brother Robert (Sandy) Woelfel of Arlington, Texas. His children: Laura
(Casey) Lineberry of Crane Hill, AL; John (Jennifer) Woelfel and Debbie
(Kenneth) Crownover of Tuscaloosa, AL.
John was blessed with five grandchildren,
Drew Madison, Jennifer Salinas (Stephen), Jessica Phifer (Neal), Cade Woelfel,
and Cara Panno (Austin) five great grandchildren, a niece and a nephew, two
great nieces and a great nephew -- all who loved the man they called “Pappy.”
His legacy lives on through his remaining family and the values he instilled in
them.
John’s interest in flying started when he
was 11 years old; he met a Trans World Airlines pilot in the neighborhood.
Because of that chance meeting, his career objective never wavered from being a
commercial airline pilot. His selection of Hobart College was due in part to
their having an Air Force ROTC offering which he completed. Upon graduation,
John became a U.S. Air Force officer and was assigned to Moody Air Force Base
in Valdosta, Georgia where he learned to fly military jets. After completion of
flight training, he was assigned to a Strategic Air Command base (K.I. Sawyer
AFB) in Gwinn, Michigan to fly KC-135 refueling planes. As aircraft commander,
his squadron went to Southeast Asia where he refueled B-52 bombers over Vietnam
in addition to other “thirsty” military jets.
After 5 ½ years of Air Force service, John
joined National Airlines in Florida to begin his successful commercial airline
pilot career. From there he went on to fly for Pan Am and Delta Airlines as
Captain. His love for flying was only rivaled by his passion for sailing. A
seasoned sailor, John regularly sailed the Florida Keys, but his favorite trips
were the night crossings to the Bahamas.
He will be remembered for his sense of humor
and his genuine care for others. He touched the lives of many through his
kindness, generosity and love of life, leaving an indelible mark on all who had
the pleasure of knowing him.
To honor John’s wishes, there will be no
funeral service. We invite you to privately celebrate John’s memory in your own
ways. We know that he will be with us all in spirit. John will be dearly missed
but never forgotten. May he rest in eternal peace, knowing he was deeply loved
and admired by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly
requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors in John's memory.
Sunset Brown-Service Funeral Home, a Dignity
Memorial Provider, is honored to serve the Woelfel family during their time of
bereavement. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetBrown-Funeral.com
Another one of the good guys gone. Flew with John several times. enjoyed every minute of it. R.I.P. John. Condolences to his family
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