Carl E. Wendell III

Carl E. Wendell III went to his heavenly home on February 6, 2025 at the age of 91. Born on July 31, 1933, in Manhattan, Kansas, to Wilma Leone (Smith) and Carl E. Wendell II, Carl's life was filled with diverse experiences. He traveled with his veterinarian father during his Army Air Corps and Civilian Conservation Corps career, served as a proud Marine rifle instructor and staff sergeant in 1953, and lived by the motto “Semper Fi”.

After military service, Carl enjoyed a 44-year career at Illinois Central Railroad in Chicago, where he met his wife Phyllis and raised their three sons. They retired to Ft Myers, Florida, in 2000.

Known for his charm, Carl made friends everywhere, from railroaders and hardware store clerks to bankers and the bagel shop team. A devout man, he attended Mass regularly and was a faithful member of several churches. His hobbies included woodworking, reading, fishing, and cooking. He was a member of NARVE, Resurrection Church Men’s Club, and Compass Point HOA.

He is preceded in death by siblings Terry (Debra) and Penny (Billy), son David, and granddaughter Erica. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis (Berschinski), sons Philip (Aimee) and Carl IV (Jennifer), daughter-in-law Cindy, and grandchildren Jennifer Clark (Matt), Jacqueline Walsh (Tom), Shannon Marinos (Fani), Carlee, Evan, Eric, Jacob, great-grandchildren Dylan, Brady, Alexis, Caroline, Ana, Nia, and Cam and many special, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord in Ft Myers, FL on Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 12:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s name to Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord in Ft Myers, FL.