Dorothy Irene Wendler

She was educated in Holy Cross Lutheran grade school and graduated in 1940 from Collinsville Township High School. This was during World War II and she took secretarial courses to become a bookkeeper/stenographer.

She continued courses at Rubicum Business College in St. Louis, MO obtaining a job with Swift & Co., National Stockyards, IL that fall for $15.00 a week. She worked there in various departments till she married Harlan C. Wendler, June 23, 1946. He graduated as a Lutheran pastor and accepted a call to be a roving missionary in Oklahoma in September of 1946.

D

uring their lifetime together, her husband served as pastor in Oklahoma, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Effingham, IL retiring to Springfield, MO in June of 1987. Dorothy had worked as a church secretary in Addison and Effingham. When they retired, they bought their first home in Springfield, MO and spent close to 21 years growing a garden and enjoying the city. In 2008 they moved to Springfield, IL to be near family. Dorothy spent her later years at Concordia Village.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Harlan, and infant son David, both her parents, sisters; Leona Bartels and Verna Stockamp, a brother Erwin Burstadt, a brother-in-law Corliss Stockamp, a brother-in-law Dick Ambrosius and her husband’s parents John and Martha Wendler.

She leaves to mourn her: Children: Douglas (Sharon) Wendler of Athens, IL, Julaine (Mark) Kammrath of Aurora, IL, Bruce (Marilyn) Wendler of Burbank, CA, Marcella (Stan) Martin of The Villages, FL and Brian (Denise) of Albany, OR. She is also survived by her brother Elmer (Barbara) Burstadt of Collinsville, IL, Sister-In-Law Martha Ambrosius of Schaumburg, IL, and Phyllis Burstadt of Pompano Beach, FL, brother-in-law William Bartels of Tobias, NE. She has 23 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and many friends.

The family will greet family and friends at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd., Springfield, IL 62704 on Monday July 27, 2020 from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am. Rev. Joshua T. Traxel will officiate. Burial will follow in Farmington Cemetery, Farmingdale, IL (west of Springfield). CDC and IDPH Covid-19 guidelines will be followed restricting 100 guest in the church at a time, social distancing and face covering required.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd. Springfield, IL 62704 or the Concordia Village Scholarship Fund 4101 W. Iles Springfield, IL 62711

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West. 217-544-5424