William Wendel 1849-1943

ALTER, WENDEL, WHITACRE, MARTIN, HIRTH, DEE, BROOKS, KOOZER

Posted By: Janet Koozer (email)
Date: 12/26/2006 at 12:09:54

This community was saddened when it was learned that Mr. William Wendel, well known pioneer of Lansing passed away at the home of his son Adam at Detroit, Mich.

The remains were brought to lansing where funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. from the Federated church, with Rev. John W. Kile officiating. Burial was beside that of his wife in beautiful Oak Will.

Casket bearers were Howard, Kermit and Bobby Wendel, Lansing, Kenneth Brooks, Monona, Jack O'Daniels, Clinton, and Alfred Wendel, Spring Grove, Minn.

Mr. Wendels life began on Feb. 3, 1849, in Ober Melzungen Hessen, Germany. In 1852 he came with his parents to America and settled on a farm at Summerhill near Johnstown, Penn. When but a boy of seven both of his parents passed away, he being the eldest of five children to be reared by strangers. Happily, in his case he was reared under good Christian influence. He experienced but few sick days in his entire life, and only just recently did he yield gradually to his bed, where death overtook him Friday evening, Sept. 3, at the ripe age of 94 years and seven months. His passing is the last of his family group namely: Henry, John, Kate Whitace and Mary Martin.

At the age of 18 his desire for the west brought him to Lansing, where on May's Prairie a uncle resided. On February 24, 1868, he joined the German Methodist church at Dorchester. There he experienced the new birth, Christ told Nicodemus was necessary for entrance into the Kingdon of Heaven. St. John 3:3, "Redeeming love has been my theme and shall be till I die."
And with that love on March 5th, 1874 he was united in marriage to Barbara Hirth Of May's Prairie, where together life on a farm one mile west of Church, seven sons came to gladden their home. On November 11, 1909, they having sold the farm to their son Theo., moved to Lansing, to enjoy their declining years. But on January 8, 1923, his wife's death broke the family circle. While still active loneliness forced him to choose living with his sons at various places..

Since 1934 the greater part of his life had been spent at Detroit, where the climate seemed more to his liking.

He leaves to morn his passing, seven sons, Adam and Elmer of Detroit, Frank of Florida, Charles of Argyle, and Henry of Eagle Bend, Minn., John and Theo. of Lansing; also 14 grand and 14 great grandchildren.

He was a great reader and subscriber to the Mirror and Journal, and always made sure it visited him where he resided.

After his retirement from the farming Mr. Wendel traveled extensively throughout the country, making trips to the south, west east and British Columbia.

Among out-of-town relatives who came here for the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Adam Wendel, Detroit, Mich; Henry Wendel, Eagle Bend, Minn; Alfred Wendel, Spring Grove; Mr. and Mrs John O'Daniels, Clinton; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brooks, Monona.

Card of Thanks

We desire to express out sincere and heartfelt thanks to the many neighbors and friends for their acts of kindness and sympathy shown us during our recent bereavement, The death of our beloved father. For the many floral bouquets are we especially grateful.

The Children