Obituary of Jesse Gale Wendle

J. Gale Wendle, Jr. of State College, Pennsylvania, formerly of Wilmington, NC, went home to be with the Lord, fittingly on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, at the age of 91. Gale was born in Shenandoah, PA to J. Gale Wendle, Sr. and Anna Dengler Wendle. He also lived in Lewisburg, PA for four years, from 5th to 8th grade, where he met his best friend and future wife, Virginia. He finished high school in Wilmington, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 94th Infantry Division in Europe. He returned home from the war, started college and married Virginia in 1946. He was a 1950 graduate of Bucknell University, and a member of Tau Beta Pi engineering honors society. He retired in Wilmington, NC in 1990 after a 40-year career as a chemical engineer that started with the Hercules Powder Company and ended with Celanese in Wilmington, NC. Over the span of his career, he and his family lived in multiple locations in the United States, as well as in Mexico. He and Virginia developed many long-lasting friendships in each location they made home. Gale had a great sense of humor, and was a joy to be around. Possessing a rich tenor voice, music and singing were a large part of his life. He simply loved to sing, including barbershop quartets and men's choruses. His true desire, however, was to use his voice to honor the Lord. He sang in church choirs everywhere he lived, once serving as a director of music. During his life, he demonstrated what it means to live a life of honor, kindness, love and integrity. What mattered most to him was loving God and his family. He was truly a man who "acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly with his God". He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Virginia Z. Wendle, a son, Jeffrey Wendle and his wife Denise of State College, PA, two daughters, Carol Randall and her husband Ray of Lewisburg, PA and Barbara Kelly and her husband David of Wilmington, NC, seven grandchildren, Jonathan Randall and wife Lindsey of Cleveland, OH, Jason Wendle and wife Krista of Fairfax, VA, Margaret Randall of Milton, PA, Ethan Wendle and wife Kristen of State College, PA, Jesse Randall and wife Jenell of Quakertown, PA, and Eric Blizzard and Christopher Kelly, both of Wilmington, NC, and ten great grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for 3 PM, June 24th, at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to Winter Park Presbyterian Church, a local hospice care unit, or military veteran's charity. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.