Jan Michael Wesner
March 4, 1943 - January 17, 2024

Jan Michael Wesner, 80, of Plymouth, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the ECU Health Bertie Hospital in Windsor.

Jan Michael Wesner was born in Poland on March 4, 1943, to the late Jan Joe and Josefa Teodewroska Wesner.  He married the former Norma Jean Mizelle, who survives.

He retired from Weyerhaeuser Corp. as a welder.  He was a member of the Plymouth Country Club where he enjoyed the fellowship of many friends over golf each morning.

Jan was a proud American who loved his God, country, family, and the Tarheels. His family came to America as part of the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 which brought many refugee families to America at the end of World War II. His family settled in rural Eastern NC and finally found their way to Plymouth as sharecroppers in 1950.  Jan and his family found their path to assimilating in their new culture through sports and hard work.  Jan was a star football and basketball player at Plymouth High School and invested in the lives of many through youth sports.  As a coach, he was an encourager and cheerleader who was loved by all. He was generous with his time, energy, and money and was very supportive of many Christian charities.  Jan tended a small vineyard of muscadine grapes in his backyard and was affectionally known by many in town as the "Grape Man."

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Gospel Light Church of Christ in Jamesville, officiated by Ric Watford, Mark Lilley, Tim Turner, and Eddie Ewell.  The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., in the church auditorium and other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jan M. Wesner.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Mike Wesner (Sharon) of Cary, NC; two daughters, Kimi Avento of Knoxville, TN, and Jana Turner (Dan) of Maryville, TN; grandchildren:  Stephen Wesner (Mallory) of Durham, Seth Wesner of Charlotte, and Silas Wesner of Cary, Nick Avento of Knoxville, TN, Natalie Avento of Knoxville, TN, Reagan Turner of Maryville, TN; and a great-grandchild, Callum Wesner; two brothers, Frank Wesner of Chicago and Tony Wesner (Isla K) of Raleigh; sister, Ann W. Greene (David) of Renton, WA; sister-in-law, Wanda Wesner of Raleigh, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers: Ed Wesner, Jim Wesner, and Stan Wesner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Polish Christian Ministries, www.pcmusa.org.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service at Hampton Academy, Plymouth.