Michael "Mick" Robert Wessel

Michael Robert “Mick” Wessel was born in Cape Girardeau, MO on April 27, 1948 to Clarence Gus and Charlotte Sophia (Gross) Wessel. He went to his heavenly home on January 22, 2023 with his family surrounding him. He started school in the small one room schoolhouse in Dutchtown.   The family moved to Chaffee in 1955 where Mick started the 2nd grade. During high school he was a three sport athlete, graduating with the CHS Class of 1966.  He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.  Upon graduation, Mick made his way home to Chaffee Jr/Sr High to teach junior high math and coach from January 1971 until his retirement in 1997.

Mick started as an assistant football coach under Coach Terry Glenzy for two years, and then assistant to Charlie Vickery.  Mick and Charlie also started the Chaffee Jr. High football program in 1974. Mick took the reins of the Red Devil Program in 1978.  That team reached the state semifinals losing to the eventual state champion, Cass-Midway.  His 1979 Red Devil team reached the quarterfinals, and in 1983 the Red Devils became the 1A State Champion defeating Norborne at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.  During his career, Mick was on the MO State High School Football Advisory Committee, served on the Board of Directors of the State Coaches Association, and coached in the Lions Club All-Star Game in 1979 and 1984.  During his education career he started the girls basketball program in 1975, helped fundraise and build the weight room, coached boys basketball, helped start the junior high track program and helped coach the shot and discuss.

After retiring from education, Mick did precision land grading, worked for C106 radio selling ads, managed the Whitewater Co-Op, and for the last 10 years owned Mick Wessel Seed Company.  He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where he served as head elder, and also served as the treasurer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chaffee for several years.

Mick married Linda Lou Cunningham on January 10, 1970 in Chaffee, MO.  To this union two children were born, Steven (Jill) Wessel and Jamie (Shawn) Nix.  He has five grandchildren, Lilly Wessel, Andrew Nix, Eli Nix, Zeke Wessel, and Cale Wessel.  Mick also had a special son Tony (Pam) Dalton of Trophy Club, TX and special grandchildren Jayden Welch and Kage Friga of Chaffee, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents.  He is also survived by three brothers and their spouses along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Chaffee Public School Foundation-Coach Mick Wessel Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can be mailed to the Superintendent’s office at Chaffee High School, 517 W. Yoakum Ave, Chaffee, MO 63740.

Visitation will be held at the Chaffee High School Gymnasium Friday, January 27, 2023 from 4:00-9:00 pm and Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 9:00 am until the time of the service at 10:00 am.  Pastor John Dehne will conduct the service and burial will follow at Union Park Cemetery, Chaffee, MO.