Michael Richard Wendel died in his sleep, early Friday morning, August 12, after a two-week hospitalization for a multitude of medical issues.  He is survived by his loving wife, Linda, and two sons, Thomas and Bradford (Mindi), of whom he was very proud, and his grandson, Alexander.  Other survivors include his brother, Fred (Nancy) and his sister, Ruthann, and five nephews.

Born in 1945, Mike grew up in Eufaula, Oklahoma, graduating from high school in 1963.  He loved Eufaula and made precious, lifelong friends during his time there.  He went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University in 1968, where he acquired both a B.A. in history and a fiancé, Linda Ford, who he met on a blind date.  Commissioned in 1968 as an Army Second Lieutenant in January 1968, he entered active service the next month.  In 1971, he left the Army as a Captain, having flown a Birddog Observation Plane in Vietnam in 1969-1970.

In 1971, Mike entered the Sears Management Program that sent Mike, Linda, and Tom (and later Brad) to Omaha, Nebraska, where they laid down roots and made their life together.  Mike left Sears in 1977 and became a stockbroker for Chiles Heider.  Thirty-four years later he retired from Wells Fargo as a Certified Financial Planner.  He loved working with his clients, forming relationships, and helping them plan for their future.

Mike had been an avid fisherman his entire life.  He joined the Husker Bass Club and gained close friends with whom he took countless fishing trips.  From the early morning launches to the evenings filled with good food and conversation, his time with the Club and his friends meant a great deal to Mike.

In 1971, Mike and Linda joined Presbyterian Church of the Master, and until his death, his work for that congregation was a big part of his life.  He was ordained as a deacon and an elder and over the years, led many committees and served on Session numerous times.

Upon his retirement in 2011, he and Linda began to spend half the year in Eufaula and continued their traveling ways, loving to visit and re-visit the Rocky Mountains, New Orleans, and northern Florida and took numerous trips overseas with their long-time traveling buddies.  He was instrumental in starting the Eufaula Area Museum, and until his death, was the Chairman of the Museum board.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ruth Lauhon Wendel and his father, Dr. William Eldon Wendel, both of Eufaula.