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Werner E. Wegener

Published June 10,2021

Obituary's Biography:

Werner Ernst Wegener, 88, of Tucson, AZ passed away on April 28, 2021.  He was born on November 25, 1932 in Hamburg, Germany to Frieda (nee Schuster) and Emil Wegener.  Werner’s father and grandfather were salt seaman and this lead to his love for the ocean.  He apprenticed in Hamburg as a marine engineer and sailed all over the world and saw many countries on cargo ships.  He immigrated to the United States in 1963 and received his citizenship and joined the Merchant Marines as an Engineer.  He worked for Bethlehem Steel and worked his way up to Chief Engineer on the MV Stewart J. Court.  In retirement, he bought a sailboat that he kept in Jekyll Island in Georgia.  Werner lived in Wildwood, IL, Georgia, Wisconsin and eventually settled in Tucson, AZ. 

Werner is survived by his daughter, Gisela (Michael) Matelski of Wildwood; his stepchildren, Dean Sheridan and Rene (William) Ganger, Jr.; his grandchildren, Derek (Sydney) Matelski, Ashley Matelski, Samantha Matelski, Zachary Matelski and Jesse Matelski; his step grandchildren, Christopher Sheridan, Ashley Sheridan, Matthew Sheridan, Sarah Sheridan and Amber Ganger; his great grandchildren, Jackson Matelski, Charlotte Matelski and Lincoln Matelski.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Erika (nee Klatt) Wegener; his second wife, Monika (nee Thanheiser) Wegener; his son, Götz “Gus” Wegener; and his parents. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Oasis Church, 8961 E Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85749.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Oasis Church, 8961 E Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85749 or the American Cancer Society.    

6 replies on “Werner E. Wegener”

  1. My MOM met Erika and Werner shortly after they came to the USA. I don’t know where she met them, but MOM always found Germans wherever she went. Soon after that, Erika began baby-sitting for my Son. He played with “Butchie” and Gisela and learned to understand German a bit. Hence, I have also know Gisela since she was little. send you my sincere sympathy and know how tough it is to lose both MOM and DAD and your little brother too. May they all rest in peace.

  2. May God bring comfort to the Werner Wegener
    family. We shared some very sad moments. We are sure your smiling now. No more tears. Goodbye Dear Friend. Until we meet again😘

  3. Was so sorry to hear about Werner. He was a great and talented man! I meet him several times on the Court where my husband “Adam” was a pilot! Adam (Lynn Adams) passed away in May of 2016. Prayers for the family during this difficult time.

  4. To Werner’s family.
    Sorry to hear of your loss.
    He was a great shipmate, and friend.
    We had great times together

  5. So sorry to hear of the loss of a amazing man father and grandfather . I was blessed to meet the Wagner’s in wildwood IL my thoughts and prayers are with family and friends ❤🙏

  6. I am so sorry to hear of Werner’s passing and hope that you all can take comfort in your memories of him.
    I worked with him aboard the Cort and can honestly say that he was a good shipmate, a good friend, and of all the engineers I’ve met in my career none had a greater influence than he did. I think of him often.

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