April 3, 1931 – March 6, 2023
Wendell Lee Wease, 91, of Mitchell, passed away suddenly at his home on March 6, 2023.
Born April 3, 1931, in Orange County, he was the son of Paul and Viola Mae (Thacker) Wease. He married Betty Horner in July 1950, then married Twila Jean Grissom in January 1975.
Wendell was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps serving during the Korean War. He also served in the USAF Reserve and IN Air National Guard. He was employed by the Naval Weapon Support Center for 39 years, during which time he volunteered twice to deploy for 3 months with MAERU (Mobile Ammunition Evaluation and Renovation Unit) to Vietnam with a Marine Corps unit. He retired in 1988 and went to work with SAIC, a defense contractor that supports military efforts, for 18 years. He was a lifetime member of Mitchell American Legion Post 250 and served on the American Legion Honor Guard and Lifetime member of Crane V.F.W. Post 9297. He was also a member of the Mitchell First Christian Church and served on several boards there. Wendell enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, I.U. basketball, and fishing. He was a member of the Honor Flight of Southern Indiana in May 2017.
Survivors include his wife, Twila J. Grissom Wease of Mitchell, Tony Wease of Loogootee, Marsha A. Kirkland (Lawrence Kirkland) of Newport News, VA, Terry W. Wease (Jane Wease) of Corydon, IN, and Theresa K. Fuhrman of Shoals. He also is survived by seven grandchildren: Kris Wease and Michele (Joe) Quinn of Loogootee, Kim (Bill) Bates of Carmel, IN, Jay Kingsley of Lynnhaven FL, Rachel Wease of Astoria, NY, Bonnie Wease of North Hollywood, CA, Chelsi Feathers of Bloomfield IN, ten great-grandchildren and devoted caregiver Rebecca Keefe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul B., William C., John E. and Arthur K. Wease; sister, Nancy Alice Ratliff; daughter, Mary T. Wease Feathers; son-in-law, Roger Fuhrman, daughter-in-law Judy Wease, and grandsons, Matthew Fuhrman and Kevin Colvin.
The funeral service will be on Saturday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Brian Bolton officiating. Burial will be at Burns City Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9107. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the funeral home.
Casketbearers are Kris Wease, Joe Quinn, Bradley Quinn, Gary Thacker, Kenny Wease, John Feathers, Mike Baker, and Jay Kingsley.
Memorial contributions may be made in Wendell’s memory to the Mitchell American Legion Post 250 Honor Guard, 404 Sheeks Drive, Mitchell, IN 47446 or to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, PO Box 8234, Evansville IN 47716.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.
