Carl E. Wendel, 73, 2557 Frahm Pike, Celina, died at 4:39 a.m. April 5, 2007, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

He was born April 11, 1933, in Celina, to Edward and Anna Linn Wendel. On May 9, 1953, he married Virginia A. Bollenbacher, who died Aug. 10, 2002.

Surviving are a companion, Virginia Strable; a son, Randy D. (Kimberly), Celina; two daughters, Debra A. (Donald) Miller, Celina, and Christina K. (David) Shepherd, Beavercreek; a sister, Esta Bollenbacher, Rockford; three grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two brothers, Lisle and Wayne Wendel; and a sister Dorothy Borger.

He worked at the former Lugabihl Hatchery & Feed Mill, Celina, as a materials manager at General Electric, Decatur, Ind., was a bus driver for Celina City Schools and, most recently, a bus driver for Bear Creek Farms, Bryant, Ind. He also was a farmer, a U.S. Army Veteran serving from 1953-1955 as a aircraft mechanic in Darmstadt, Germany, a 1951 graduate of Celina High School, and a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Liberty Township, where he served on the consistory board and the cemetery committee.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, the Rev. Catherine Costello officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery with military rites to be conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, Celina.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Contributions can be made to the church.