Clarence A. Wendler, 83

Clarence A. Wendler, 83, Wittenberg, died on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg under the care of his family and Ministry Hospice.

He was born on November 17, 1932 in Wittenberg, the son of the late William Clarence and Claricy (Guerin) Wendler. Clarence was a graduate of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School.

Clarence was a United States Army Veteran serving as a Corporal in the Army. He was a member of the Bloecher-Johnson American Legion Post #502, Wittenberg. On July 2, 1955, Clarence was united in marriage to Patricia Suwyn in Elderon. She survives. The couple farmed in the town of Wittenberg and Clarence was also Postmaster for the Wittenberg Post Office from 1971 to 1992. Clarence was a member of the Wittenberg Historical Society, Wittenberg Lions Club and served on the Forest Home Cemetery board. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg, where he was an Elder, sang in the choir, former congregation president and taught Sunday school for twenty years.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; five children, Joni (Chuck) Adams, Marion, Brenda (Brian Retzlaff) Wendler, Clintonville, Charles (Shirley) Wendler, Wittenberg, Theresa (Mike) Stai, Watertown and Clarence "Willy" (Laura) Wendler, Chippewa Falls; 13 grandchildren, Amanda, Jason (Jamie), Rebecca Adams, BobbiJo (Josh) Ladwig, Jessica (Anthony) Miller, Travis (Rachel) Herrmann, Alisha (Josh Lang) Wendler, Zachary (Cassie Okerlund) Wendler, Samantha Doolittle, Anita (Aaron) Judd, Kory Stai, Kristina (Matthew) Hoffman and Johnathon Wendler; 13 great-grandchildren, Serenity Adams, Anton Fedie, Carlos and Gracie Gonzalez, Max and Jack Ringler, Xander Adams, Brennen and Tristan Fowler, Aiyana Miller, Emma Ladwig and Ava Herrmann; seven siblings, Viola Konkel, Lucille Bricco, Evelyn Verkuilen, Roger (Mary Jane) Wendler, Deanna Elmer, Sally (Mike) Swenson and Merry (Roger) Voigt; two brothers-in-law, Bill (Donna) Suwyn and Jack (Betty) Suwyn and and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Ardell Uttecht, a grandson Ryan Wendler and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg. Rev. Michael Larson will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery, Wittenberg with military rites conducted by the American Legion. Visitation will be on Friday, April 29, 2016 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and again on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the time of service, all at the church.

Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com

In lieu of flowers, memories in remembrance of Clarence may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wittenberg, Homme Home of Wittenberg, Concordia University or Ministry Hospice.