Wendell Petefish, 83, of Eddyville, passed away at 5:45 a.m., Friday, Nov. 7, 2008 at Pope County Care Center, Golconda, Ill.
Paul Wendell Petefish was born on July 20, 1925, to Ivan and Ethel Petefish in rural Jacksonville, Ill.
Wendell graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1942. He served with the United States Naval Merchant Marines on a Liberty ship and recalled being on the first American ship in the Netherlands after the Nazi occupation and having the Queen come down and greet the ship. After the war, he worked on the intracoastal canals out of New Orleans and eventually, returned to Illinois to farm and sell cars. Wendell owned Petefish Chevrolet in Waverly, Ill. In 1972, he moved to Arizona to pursue business interests.
He married Doris Curtis in May, 1949. She preceded him in death. In December of 1981, Wendell married Julia Sims Crum.
He was a member of the Golconda Rotary Club, McDowel Mountain Mounted Sheriff’s Posse, Ariz., U.S. Marshal’s Posse, Ariz., Verde Vaqueros, Scottsdale, Ariz., Hash Knife Pony Express, Ariz., and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Surviving are his wife, Julia; five children; Tracy Petefish, Scottsdale, Ariz., Chris Celetetic, Louisville, Ky., Julie (Kirk) Little, Tuscola, Ill., Johanna (Cory) Thomas, Albert Lea, and Brian Crum; seven grandchildren; Aubrey Taylor, Los Altos, Calif., Casey Little, Hazel, Ky., Jesse Little, Cleveland, Ohio, Caleb Little, Tuscola, Ill., and Kelsey, E.J., and Andy Paul Thomas, Albert Lea; one sister; Betty (Richard) Adams, Oregon, Ill.; two nieces; one nephew; and Chloe, his faithful blue heeler.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and a cousin, Garland Petefish.
Wendell loved his family, his country, his God and life.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 9, 2008, at the Eddyville Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 South Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220.