Henry Wendel Jr., 94, of Coldwater passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with Pastor Edyre Maurer of Coldwater United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 19, 2016 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Henry was born May 3, 1922 to Henry Louis and Jennie Pearl (Rager) Wendel in VanWert, Ohio. On January 22, 1943 he entered the US Army at Camp Perry, Ohio and was discharged on March 15, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana having attained the rank of Sargent. Henry was in Rhineland and Central Europe and received the American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater with 2 bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal with 2 bronze clusters and the Victory Medal.
Henry was married to Betty Counseller and Ruth Ann Ward both of which preceded him in death. He married Margaret Fyvie Rose on April 30, 1994 in Coldwater.
Henry was the owner of Wendel Construction in Coldwater for many years and mentored numerous contractors over the years in the building trades. He started out as plant manager for Wick Homes in Coldwater.
He attended Coldwater United Methodist Church and was a Life Member of the V.F.W., Coldwater American Legion Post # 52, Coldwater Elks and Coldwater Eagles. He was a former member of the Coldwater Masonic Lodge # 18, the Coldwater Lions Club and served on the Soltau Sister City Committee. Henry wintered in Estero, Florida with his wife Margaret for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, horses, snow sking, playing cards, traveling, making pies, maple syrup and honey. He was a licensed pilot, loved woodworking and was proud to have built a portable hunting cabin.
Henry is survived by his wife Margaret of Coldwater; his children, Dennis (Barb) Wendel of Cary, North Carolina, Mike Wendel of Rockford and Sandy Wendel-Kernahan of Allen; his step children, Carol (Frank) Poradzisz of Coldwater, Randy (Pam) Rose of Coldwater and Rex Rose of Coldwater; his grandchildren, Chris, Bryan, Joe, Allen, Jason and Susan; several step grandchildren and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step daughter Geraldine Smith on May 26, 2016, step grandson James Banker, his brothers Clayton, Gail and Ralph and sister Myrna Lichtle.
Memorials may be directed to Coldwater United Methodist Church or Habitat for Humanity.
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