Procession to honor Wenzler at JCU June 28

To celebrate the memory of Chris Wenzler, John Carroll University announced a car processional beginning at 3 p.m. on June 28.

Wenzler, a 1990 graduate of JCU, was the university’s sports information director and assistant athletic director for the past 30 years. He died at age 52 on June 23 after a more-than-twoyear battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife Melissa, son Oliver and daughter Madeline. Those three plus other family and close friends will be present during the processional.

Cars should enter the Belvoir Gate on JCU’s campus, and follow directional signage. Main connections onto Belvoir Road are from Fairmount Road or Cedar Road.

There will be an opportunity to wave to the Wenzler family on the route but the university asks those in the procession remain inside their vehicles.

John Carroll signs and apparel are encouraged.

Wenzler was immensely popular at JCU. Following graduation in 1990, he never left and spent 30 years helping promote all of the school’s sports teams.

He also created a huge network of students — many who became longtime friends and called themselves “Wenzler’s Warriors” during his fight with cancer — who worked in the sports communications department. They came and went over the years, but the influence he had on those young men and women came to the forefront during his battle with cancer.

Many of “Wenzler’s Warriors” and others created Gofundme accounts plus other forms of fund raising to assist the family with Chris’ medical bills.

A private funeral mass is set for the morning of June 29. The service will be live-streamed.

JCU will announce further details about the livestream.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Chris Wenzler Memorial Fund to support John Carroll students traveling on immersion trips.

TIM PHILLIS — FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Chris Wenzler is all smiles during a ceremony in 2019honoring him as a member of John Carroll’s Athletic Hall of Fame.