Wendell McMillen
Bethalto |
Wendell Guy McMillen, 94, went home to be with the Lord at 6:50 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012.
He was born on March 6, 1918 in Allendale, IL, the son of Guy and Inez (Hosmer) McMillen.
He married Obera “Bea” Elikofer on August 31, 1940. They recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary at the Bethalto Care Center with their two sons.
Wendell served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, having served in the European theatre during the Normandy invasion with the 29th Infantry Division. He was wounded in combat action in St. Lo, France where he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He retired from Amoco Oil Refinery in Wood River, where he had been employed for 37 years. He and his wife had been long time members of the Bethalto United Methodist Church, where he has held several offices. He belonged to the Bethalto Masonic Lodge and was once active in the Wood River VFW Post 2859.
In addition to his wife, Bea, as everyone knew her, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Cheryl McMillen of Bethalto and William “Bill” and Frances McMillen of Gurnee, IL; four grandchildren, Eric and his wife, Sandee McMillen of Evansville, IN, Leslie McMillen of Bethalto, Nathan and his wife, Joy McMillen of St Augustine, FL, Wendy and her husband, Chris Webster of Bethalto,; eight great grandchildren, Lauren McMillen, Tyler McMillen, Dena Nesbitt, Elliott McMillen, Thomas Phipps, Genna Webster, Grace McMillen, John (Jack) McMillen; special nieces, and nephew, Vicki Hamel, John Dugger and Jill Arnold and a sister Mary Lou Davidson of Montgomery, AL.
Preceding Wendell in death are his parents, a brother, Elbert McMillen, sisters, Grace Ireland and Marjorie Ridgley.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Funeral services will be at 11 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at the Bethalto United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Rayson officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be made to the Bethalto United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
