Carlton J. Wendell

Carlton Wendell passed away on February 7, 2008 at 5:50 pm. All who survive him will mourn his passing, for even those who met him only briefly were touched by the goodness of this man. His zest for life, his sense of humor, his generosity, and decency to others left their indelible mark on even the most casual of acquaintances. The son of Edwin Wendell and Jessie Johnson, Carl was born in Hadley, New York, grew up in upstate New York, and resided there until called to serve his country in World War II. He served in the European Theatre gallantly, where he lost his right leg to a land mine, for which he received the Purple Heart. Upon returning from the war and recuperating from his injuries, he would marry Margaret Gray and move to Michigan to take a job with Michigan Bell, where he spent his entire 36-year career and raised his family in Ferndale, a suburb of Detroit. Carl would then retire to Florida, spending years at Port Charlotte Village in Port Charlotte, several more in the Lake Venice subdivision of Venice, and then moving back to Port Charlotte at Southport Square. His beloved wife, Margaret Peg Wendell, passed away in 2003. Retirement years were spent traveling, enjoying golf, enjoying his adoring grandchildren, and recently, his great-grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Don Wendell of Port Charlotte, and daughter, Joan Mullaney of Tawas City, Michigan. The world is a lesser place with his passing.