Leah M. Wendel, 83, formerly of Chattanooga, died at 1:07 p.m. Oct. 6, 2012, at The Chalet Village, Berne, Ind.

She was born Nov. 25, 1928, in Ohio City, to Win and Mollie Mottinger Rickard. On March 26, 1950, she married John L. Wendel, who died Dec. 31, 1992.

Surviving are two sons, Charles Wendel, Decatur, Ind., and Jerry (Kelly) Wendel, Celina; three daughters, Karen Wendel and Cheryl Moser, both of Berne, and Peg (Wenzel) Martin, Freeport, Grand Bahama; a brother, Robert Rickard, Van Wert; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Also deceased are a brother, Doyt Rickard, and four sisters, Mabel Urton, Voyla Fleming, Cleo Kiracofe and Marcello Stellato.

She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Rockford, and its Women's Guild. She also taught Sunday School.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Calling is 5-8 p.m. Thursday and 10-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be left at ketchamripley.com.