Wendell G. Sadler, 79, of Winona Lake, Ind., passed away at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Grace Village Health Care, Grace Village, Winona Lake.

He was born May 5, 1934, in Danville, Ill., to Marguerite (Sadler) Snyder.

He was a 1952 graduate of Diamond High School, Danville. He faithfully served his country from 1952 to 1954 in the United States Navy aboard the Battleship New Jersey (BB 62) as the “Talker” for the Gun Boss (Fire Control Officer) during the Korean Conflict.

He was a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1956 and passed the National Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards that same year. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley Ann Alverson, who preceded him Aug. 15, 2007.

After owning funeral homes in Kansas and Mount Sterling, Ill., he purchased the McHatton-Funeral Home and Ambulance Service in 1970 in Warsaw. From 1970 to his retirement in 2004 he honorably served thousands of Kosciusko County residents in the funeral service profession.

Throughout his working career he served on several organizations’ board of directors or as a volunteer. He was most fond of the Baker Youth (Boys) Club where he served for several years a treasurer. He was a Lifetime Member of the Warsaw American Legion Post #49, Kansas Masonic Lodge #280, Kansas, Ill.; Valley of Danville Scottish Rite, Danville, Ill.; Ansar Shrine in Springfield, Ill.; and in 2005 he was awarded the Shrine 100 Million Dollar Club Certificate for his support of the Kosciusko County Shrine Club and their philanthropic mission to support the Shrine Children’s Hospitals. He was an avid golfer and member of Tippecanoe Lake Country Club where he won several men’s events. During his golfing career he had three hole-in-ones.

Surviving is a son: John (Debbie) Sadler, Warsaw, Ind.; a granddaughter: Jessica (Adam) Nowak, Indianapolis, Ind.; a grandson: Derek Sadler, Warsaw; and a sister: Patricia Trimble, Oakwood, Ill.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Services are scheduled to follow at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Pastor Denny Wilson will officiate the services. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with military honors by the Warsaw American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126.

Memorials may be made to: The Wendell and Shirley Sadler Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Kosciusko Community Foundation, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580, or online at [email protected].

To send condolences or sign a guestbook, visit the McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels website.