Wendell L. Clouse

Wendell Lamar Clouse, 88, died Wednesday, June 7, at Greencroft Healthcare.

He was born January 1, 1935, in Locke Township north of Nappanee, to Howard and Miriam (Hoffer) Clouse. He was the first baby born in Elkhart County that year.

On July 17, 1954, he married Ruth F. Hostetler in Goshen. She survives.

He is survived by four siblings, Larry (Bonnie, deceased), Goshen; Newell (Karen), Nappanee; Cheryl (Bennie) French, North Manchester; and Annette (Butch, deceased) Gaskill.

He is also survived by a son Randy (Pam), Goshen, and daughters Carol (Mark) Scroggs, Burbank, CA, and Donna (David) Patuzzi, Goshen; grandchildren Andrew (Amanda Lind) Clouse, Albuquerque, NM, Dan (Kelly) Clouse, Denver, CO, Cole Patuzzi, Goshen, Breann (Chad) Schubert, St Louis, MO, Zachary (Elspeth) Stalter-Clouse, Madison, WI, and Nicholas Scroggs, Burbank, CA; plus great grandchildren Sam Clouse and Sierra, Zinnia and Jayce Schubert.

Wendell loved his family, and spending time with all of his descendants.

He graduated from Wakarusa High School in 1952 and worked most of his life as a woodworker for local manufacturers. He also created furniture and other craft items for the public, family, and non-profit fundraisers. As a young man he served at Norman Beatty Mental Hospital in Westville.

He grew up at North Main Mennonite Church in Nappanee. He later was a member of several local Churches of the Brethren, ending with forty plus years at City Church.  He taught Sunday School and enjoyed reading books on religion.

He was a sports fan, especially of the St Louis Cardinals and Goshen High School teams.

Wendell enjoyed volunteering. He was a baseball coach for many years for the American League at Rogers Park. He served on the Goshen City Park Board, including a term as president. He also was on the board of Heifer Project. He participated in church sponsored service trips, and did carpentry for Camp Mack.

He liked to travel, including all parts of the continental US, plus trips to Canada, Africa, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico.

The family would like to express their great appreciation to the staffs of Greencroft Healthcare and Goshen Hospice.

Visitation will be Monday, July 3 at 10:00 a.m. at City Church of the Brethren, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. His ashes will be scattered at the Greencroft Memorial Garden.

Memorial donations may be given to Heifer Project or Camp Mack.

Online condolences may be sent to www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com