Wendell Lee Wease Dies Monday, March 6th; Funeral Held Saturday

Wendell Lee Wease, age 91, of Mitchell, Indiana, passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, March 6, 2023.

He was born on April 3, 1931, in Orange County, the son of Paul and Viola Mae (Thacker) Wease.

He married Betty Horner in July 1950, and 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 three months with MAERU (Mobile Ammunition Evaluation and Renovation Unit) to Vietnam with a Marine Corp 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; children, Tony L. Wease, of Loogootee; Marsha A. Kirkland and husband Lawrence, of Newport News, Virginia; Terry W. Wease and wife Jane, of Corydon, Indiana; and Theresa K. Fuhrman, of Shoals; He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Kris Wease and Michele Quinn and husband Joe, of Loogootee; Kim Bates and husband Bill, of Carmel, Indiana, Jay Kingsley, of Lynnhaven, Florida; Rachel Wease, of Astoria, New York; Bonnie Wease, of North Hollywood, California and Chelsi Feathers, of Bloomfield, Indiana; 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 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.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 11th, at 10:30 a.m., in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Pastor Brian Bolton officiated the service.

Burial was made in the Burns City Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Leg-ion Post 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9107.

Casketbearers were Kris Wease, Joe Quinn, Bradley Quinn, Gary Thacker, Kenny Wease, John Feathers, Mike Baker, and Jay Kingsley.

Visitation was held on Friday, March 10th, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and from 9:30 until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mitchell American Legion Post 250 Honor Guard, 404 Sheeks Drive, Mitchell, IN 47446, or to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, P.O. Box 8234, Evansville, IN 47716.