Douglas Hayes Wardell

Doug endured a series of traumas as a young child, including being injured in a tornado and then again in a motor vehicle accident, just eight months later. Despite many challenges, he grew up to be a deeply conscientious, kind and gentle person and to live a life of meaning and purpose.

Doug liked to spend time at Lake Michigan in the summer -- swimming in the lake, then getting a chili dog, and taking a walk around the harbor to check out the boats. He also enjoyed all flavors of ice cream, travel to the North Woods and Pacific Northwest, museums of all kinds, where he read and pondered everything, walking piers and beaches along the lake, the Renaissance Faire, Svengoolie, and animals of all kinds.

Doug also enjoyed going to theatre productions and saw himself as a theatre person. He performed in plays as a child and worked for several years at a professional marionette theatre. He also worked at and gave his best efforts to Jewel for over thirty years.

He was a beloved son to his parents, John and Carol Wardell, a beloved friend to Mark Peters and others, a beloved brother to his siblings, Michael Wardell, Laurie (Dean Blobaum) Wardell, and Amy (John Kern) Wardell. He was a beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews, Willow, Alanna, Matthew, Taylor, Thomas, Sam, and Sarah. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial for Doug will be held Saturday, January 18, at 3:30 pm, at the Marsh Funeral Home in Gurnee. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the supportive housing program at:

Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Ave, Waukegan, Il 60085, Attention Angela Almendarez.

A visitation for Douglas will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 PM.