Bob Wendel

Robert Lee "Bob" Wendel, 76, of Whitewater passed away Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 10, 1941, in Whitewater, son of Joseph W. and Edna D. Cook Wendel. He and Sharon Birk were married Oct. 6, 1963, at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

Bob was baptized Jan. 13, 1941, at Zion United Methodist Church, was a lifelong member and had held various leadership positions in the church. He graduated in 1958 from Jackson High School, and attended Southeast College in Cape Girardeau. On Feb. 3, 1960, he was inducted into the United States Army and was honorably discharged April 5, 1962. He worked for Ceramo and Cape County Feed and Supply in Jackson and Jaymac Equipment and Tate Distributing in Cape Girardeau. In 1986, he, along with Glenn Neumeyer and Larry Allen, co-founded ANW Refrigeration Services in Cape Girardeau.

Bob was a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post No. 158 in Jackson and Pipefitters Local 562. He enjoyed working on the family farm, traveling across the United States and spending time with family, especially the grandkids.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 54 years, Sharon Birk Wendel of Whitewater; two sons, Brad (Rani) Wendel of Jackson and Doug (Lynne) Wendel of Festus, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Adam, Aaron, Braden and Olivia Wendel, Andrew Quick, Tasha Covington and Morgan Wendel; two great-grandchildren, Brendan Quick and Holden Covington; and a cousin, whom he regarded as a brother, Dean (Judy) Wendel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Roy Wendel.

The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Chapel A at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at Zion United Methodist Church.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Joel Kidwell officiating. Interment will be in Zion United Methodist Cemetery in Gordonville, with military honors.

The family suggests contributions be made to Zion United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.