James W. Wethey

Pastor James W. Wethey, 74, of Chetopa, passed away at 7:32 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born December 3, 1944 at Goodman, Missouri to Theodore Emmett and Martha Aretha (Patrick) Wethey.  He grew up and attended schools at Goodman.

On June 4, 1965, he was united in marriage to Diane Bearden in Joplin, Missouri.  Following their marriage, they lived in Joplin.  He served in evangelistic ministry for several years until entering pastoral ministry.  For the past 30 years, he pastored churches in towns including, Afton and Miami, Oklahoma and Treece, Kansas.  They had pastored the Jesus Name House of Prayer in Chetopa for the past sixteen years.

James loved horses and had worked for several years as a thoroughbred horse trainer and caretaker for Dr. Grotheer in Miami, Oklahoma.  He also loved coon hunting and loved all animals.

Survivors include his wife, Diane, of the home; two sons, Floyd Wethey (Amy) of Bluejacket, OK and Luke Wethey (Savannah) of Chetopa; five daughters, JoAn Gilmore (Steve) of Chetopa, Phyllis Allen (Jarrod) of Parsons, Dicie Frost (Mike) of Welch, OK, Julie Butler (Randy) of Chetopa and Samantha Butler of Chetopa; eighteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and one sister, Dorothy Wethey of Republic, MO.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and seven sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Jesus Name House of Prayer in Chetopa. Burial will follow at the Old Hickory Grove Cemetery near Grove, Oklahoma.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Jesus Name House of Prayer. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.