Charles U. Wendeln, 76, 1776 St. John Road, Maria Stein, died at 9:03 a.m. Nov. 18, 2009, at Lima Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 12, 1933, in Maria Stein to Fred and Frances Hasselman Wendeln. On Jan. 21, 1956, he married Irma Sturwold, who survives.

Other survivors are two children, Diane (Mark) Homan, Maria Stein; Gary Wendeln, New Bremen; a brother, Joseph (Marie) Wendeln, Minster; a brother-in-law, Paul Jutte, Coldwater; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Wendeln, Sidney; two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

Deceased are three brothers, Edward, Leo and Eugene Wendeln; and three sisters, Armella Bruns, Viola Franks and Rita Jutte.

He was a retired dairy farmer and 29 year employee of the former New Idea Company, Coldwater, and a member of St. John Catholic church, Maria Stein, and its Mens' Sodality. He and his family donated part of the land for the Marion Community Park. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Korean War.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Gene Schnipke officiating Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Contributions can be made to the Marion Community Park Fund.