Mr. Wendell L. Van Fleet, 82, of Galesburg, passed away at 2:25 AM, Friday, July 21, 2023 at Seminary Manor in Galesburg, Illinois.
Wendell was born in Plymouth, Illinois on February 1, 1941, the son of William “Bill” Daniel Van Fleet and Eula Mae Downey. They moved to Galesburg when Wendell was a young child where he eventually attended Galesburg High School, graduating with the class of 1959. Following high school Wendell enlisted and served in the Navy from 1959 to 1961.
After the Navy, he met the love of his life Bonnie K. Anderson in 1969 while working for Dick Blick. They fell in love and married the next year on June 19, 1970 at the First Christian Church in Galesburg.
Wendell worked for over 30 years with Butler Manufacturing as a Maintenance Forman before his retirement in 2003. He was an ornery man who was always quick with a joke and knew how to make others laugh. In his younger years he loved to race and ride motor cycles. He had a passion for baseball that followed him throughout his whole life. Whether that meant coaching baseball with his son when he was a boy, to watching games at the local American Legion, to even just sitting outside enjoying the weather with a baseball game on the radio. He always made sure to attend all of his grandchildren’s games and events, no matter the distance. Wendell enjoyed spending his time outdoors, especially if it was fishing or golfing.
Wendell is survived by his wife of 53 years Bonnie, his children, Ronnie (Cindy) Van Fleet of Davenport, Iowa, Danny (Michelle) Van Fleet of O’Fallon, Illinois, and Wendi (Ron) Paschal of Galesburg. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Jo.
Cremation has been accorded. No Services are to be held at this time. The family is planning a celebration of life at a later date. Memorials may be made to The American Legion of Galesburg. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Homes of Galesburg is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
Judy Buck (Shotts Cornett)
My condolences to Wendell's family and friends. I will always remember the day I walked into 3rd grade at Weston School as a new student and he greeted me by saying "Oh great a new girl" I enjoyed reading about his life and love of family and baseball.
Jennefer Wetherford (Eldert)
Sympathy for Wendell's families🙏🙏
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Maurice (Morrie) Baker
Wendell's family is in our prayers. May God bless and protect our Class Of 1959.
Edmund Schisler
May the Lord comfort and bless Wendelll's family.
Adale Lauver Finch (Tessman)
Many fond memories from Weston and going to the Orpheum on Saturday's with he and Marlene. RIP good friend. Prayers to his family.Richard Hogan
Wendell was part of a group of guys in the Class of '59 that did a lot of stuff together.Besides Wendell, there was Denny Sundberg, Eldon Silvey, myself, and sometimes Tom Pearson. We did a lot of cruising and hanging out back in the day. I even worked for Wendell's Uncle Russ for a summer at his gas station on Loesey St. Wendell has this nice '52 or '53 ford V8 with glass packs. If you disconnected a certain hose on the engine, the car sounded like a dive bomber making a straffing run. That was always "fun" late at night in a quiet neighborhood. Lot of good times. But adulthood forced us to go our speparate ways. It was good seeing Wendell at the classs reunions, I shall miss him. Condolences to his family.
Gale Gillenwater (Dodge)
My deepest sympathy to Wendell's family. He was a great friend to me.