Wendell Smith

Wendell T Smith, 87, died peacefully in his apartment in Dousman, Wisc., on June 13, 2021.

He was born in Belknap, Ill., and raised in Anna, Ill.

Wendell joined the United States Air Force on April 28, 1952, and spent 21-and-a-half years proudly serving his country. He served during both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

In April 1955, while stationed at Vance AFB in Enid, he met Jaunita F. Parvin who he then married on Nov. 1,1955, after a whirlwind romance of only three months.

After retiring from the Air Force on March 1,1973, he briefly ran a service station in Brighton, Ill., before becoming employed with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Oxford, Wisc.

He retired from the bureau as an associate warden on Dec. 31, 1986.

Wendell was preceded in death by his wife; parents; siblings Mary Alice Ream, Eula and Don Sheffer, Kenneth Smith, Richard Smith; and nephews Ronald Sheffer, Gregory Smith, Doug Ream and Arthur Wensler.

Wendell is survived by his son Larry D. Smith and his children and grandchildren, Amanda Smith (Michael, Jensen and Justice) and Laura (Bryan) Garcia (Sophia).

He is also survived by his daughter, Debra K. (Randy) Smith, and their children and grandchildren, Ben (Kelly) Wolf (Finnegan), Lucas (Joelle) Wolf (Addison), Taylor Smith and Maggie (Matt) Sigler.

He is also survived by his youngest brother, Bill Smith, many nieces and nephews and numerous longtime friends.

Wendell was loved deeply and greatly respected by his family and friends.

Wendell will be laid to rest in the Parvin family cemetery in Kingfisher County, following military honors.

Funeral arrangements are being prepared by Sanders Funeral Service of Kingfisher.