Emilie L Wendel

Emilie Louise Wendel, 81, of Jackson, was called to her heavenly home on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. For several years, she referred to the Lutheran Home as her home where she made friends with all she met.

She was born November 21, 1943, in Brownsville, Texas, and baptized May 7, 1945, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Only a year seperated Emilie from her sister, Molly.  There were also two older brothers, Michael and Patrick.  When Emilie was six, she and her three siblings moved to St. Louis and initially lived with an aunt.  Later, through Lutheran Family and Childrens' Services, Emilie and Molly were adopted by Lloyd and Hazel Propst of Oak Ridge, Missouri.  Michael and Patrick resided in good foster homes, and the four siblings always remained close.   Emilie and Molly attended school in Oak Ridge, and Emilie was a 1962 graduate of Oak Ridge High School.

Emilie and Gary Wendel were married on July 10, 1965, and celebrated 55 years of marriage prior to Gary's passing on February 1, 2022. Their son, Brandon Jacob Wendel, born January 7, 1982, was the joy of their life. Brandon left this world too soon, on May 15, 2010.

Emilie worked at Cox Dime Store and the Hosiery Mill, both in Jackson.  She retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone in Cape Girardeau, after 32 years of employment.

After retirement, she became part of the Southwestern Bell Pioneers and maintained friendships with co-workers. The Pioneers volunteered at the veterans' home by helping residents with board games and bingo. She also volunteered with the Older Adult Program at Lutheran Family and Children's Services in Cape Girardeau, by helping adults experiencing early onset dementia.

Emilie was a member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, it's choir,  Women's Fellowship, and Spice of Life organizations.

Emilie enjoyed fishing, but her favorite hobby was bowling. For over 20 years, she bowled with the Jackson Women's Bowling League. Her team traveled many years to area bowling competitions in Missouri and neighboring states. Great "girls' trips"!

Loving survivors include her grandson, Aidin Jacob Wendel who was her delight and joy, and Aidin's mother, Nicole Blechle, both of Perryville; sister, Molly Strickland, who walked through life's joys and challenges with her, and Molly's husband, John Strickland, Emilie's best buddy, with whom she shared the same birthday and they celebrated their birthdays together for over 50 years; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and a wealth of friends from her school days and work career. Rest in God's sweet peace, Emilie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Hazel Propst; brothers, Michael Schubert, Patrick (Claudine) Schubert, and sister-in-law Ruth Wendel Lane

Visitation is from 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday, February 2, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9:30 a.m. to service time, Monday, February 3, 2025, at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

The Revs. Josh Rau and Sam Roethemeyer will conduct the funeral service at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, February 3, at the church. Interment will follow at St. James United Church of Christ Cemetery in Tilsit.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Lutheran Family & Children's Services, or the donor's choice of church or charity.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Emilie's obituary at mccombsfuneralhome.com.