John S. Wendel, 79, Fort Recovery, died Oct. 23, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born March 15, 1935, in Sharpsburg, to Aloys and Armella Kramer Wendel. On Oct. 3, 1959, he married Mary Ann Fiely, who survives in Cranberry.

Other survivors are two daughters, Pam (Dave) Hicks, Fort Recovery, and Joyce (Dan) Wilker, Fort Recovery; two sons, Gary (Margie) Wendel, Fort Recovery, and Randy "Otis" (Leslie Stewart) Wendel, Fort Recovery; two brothers, Oliver (Ruth) Wendel, Coldwater, and Bob Wendel, New Weston; two sisters, Annie (Willie) Lochtefeld, Fort Recovery, and Mary Jean (John) Evers, Fort Recovery; in-laws, Mary Lou Schulze, St. Henry, Irene (Bud) Brussell, New Bremen, Rita (Bob) Boeke, Algonquin, Ill., and Marilyn Fiely, St. Henry; a niece for whom they cared, Wanda (Jon) Fields, New Weston; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a brother, Tom (Lisa) Wendel, and in-laws, Elmer Schulze, Stanley (Theresa) Fiely, Art Fiely and Rosemary (Leroy) Obringer.

He was formerly employed at the Meiring Poultry Farm, Sharpsburg. In 1966, he founded Wendel Poultry Service, Fort Recovery. He and his wife owned and operated the business until his retirement in 1997.

He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3324, American Legion Post 345 and the Ohio Progressive Sportsman Club, all of Fort Recovery. He also was a member of the Studebaker Drivers Club and the International and Ohio Edsel Owners Club.

He was an usher and member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery. He collected and restored antique cars and enjoyed being at his pond and playing Yahtzee. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and keeping up with the poultry industry.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Monday at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery, the Rev. Thomas Dorn officiating. Burial is at St. Marys Cemetery, Fort Recovery, with military graveside honors conducted by the American Legion.

Calling is 2-7 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday at Brockman-Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery. The American Legion will hold a prayer service at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, followed by a K of C prayer service.

Contributions may be made to the John Wendel Memorial Fund, c/o The Fort Recovery Community Foundation.

Condolences may be left at www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.