Charles E. Wendel

Charles E. Wendel, 64, of Victoria passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2011. He was born November 11, 1946 in Corpus Christi, Texas to the late Allen and Marguerite Drier Wendel. Charles retired in 2007 after thirty-eight years at Alcoa, he was an I & E Technician, he was an officer and representative of the United Steelworkers of America at Alcoa for many years and was active in Victoria Little League. He loved participating in bar-b-que cook-offs, having competed all over the state and receiving many trophies.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Svoboda Wendel of Victoria; daughters, Melanie Wendel Benner and husband, Art of Copperas Cove, TX, Jessica Irwin of Kingsville, TX; son, Chad Wendel and wife, Stacy of Kyle, TX; sisters, Carol O’Brien of Calallen, Margie Ratliff of Kingsland; brother, Larry Wendel of Yoakum, Paul Wendel of Meyersville and four grandchildren, Connor Wendel, Saige Wendel, Chloe Benner and Forrest Irwin.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Rosewood Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 2 PM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church with Mr. Charlie Strong, longtime family friend officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria Veteran’s Council. Mr. Wendel served in the U.S. Marines Corp.

Pallbearers will be Sammy Ratliff, Keith Ratliff, Billy Ratliff, Louis O’Brien, Eddie O’Brien and David O’Brien. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Adolph Spann, Ken German, Mike Hamm, Glenn Spann, Kenneth Spann and members of the Couple’s Bunco Club.

Memorial can be made to Hospice of South Texas or donors choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com