Melvin G. Wetter, former St. Charles mayor, dies at 86

Nov. 25--ST. CHARLES -- Former St. Charles Mayor Melvin G. Wetter, who helped lead the push for funding to build Highway 370 and the Discovery Bridge, died Monday (Nov. 23, 2015) at Windsor Estates nursing home following an illness. He was 86.

Mr. Wetter was elected mayor in 1983 and served until 1987, when he lost his re-election bid to Grace Nichols. Before that he was on the City Council and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1979.

Mr. Wetter's wife of 66 years, Kathleen "Bee" Wetter, said he was most proud of his work on a commission that pressed for federal and state money to construct 370 and its Missouri River bridge.

"It really brought business to St. Charles," she said.

He also worked successfully to reopen the Main Street commercial strip to vehicle traffic.

Mr. Wetter spent most of his life in St. Charles, graduating from the old St. Peter's High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Central Missouri State University.

Before running for the council in the 1970s, he built a successful insurance business and served on city boards.

After leaving office, he continued in the insurance field and was active in civic causes such as the meals on wheels program and in St. Peter's Catholic Church.

While on the board of the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging, he was instrumental in opening a center for older adults in Portage des Sioux. Over the years, he and his wife also owned apartment complexes and a beef processing company.

He was named Citizen of the Years for 2005 by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.

Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Friday at Baue Funeral Home, 620 Jefferson Street in St. Charles, with the funeral at 4 p.m. there. The body will be cremated.

Among other survivors are three sons, Brad Wetter and Frank Wetter, both of St. Charles, and David Wetter of Montgomery City, Mo.; a daughter, Kathy Jacobs of St. Charles; a brother, Kenneth Wetter of Perryville, Mo.; two sisters, Jeanette Wappelhorst and Carolyn "Dolly" Rothermich, both of St. Charles; 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in care of Baue Funeral Home.

Mark Schlinkmann -- 636-255-7233

@mschlinkmann on Twitter

[email protected]

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