Obituary for Josh Wendler
Joshua Adam Wendler, 32, born in Emporia, KS passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at his home in Pacific, MO.
His early childhood was divided between Dodge City, KS and Lenexa, KS but it was in Dodge City where he fondly recalled spending early mornings with his grandpa Wilfred Johnson. In the wee hours of the morning, Grandpa would pick him up for conversations over breakfast and coffee at McDonald’s. Sometimes the two would spend hours sitting together talking - maybe unusual for most young children but not for Josh and his insatiable curiosity and penchant for good conversation. After their coffee together, Josh would spend time in Grandpa’s garage watching him tinker with tools and learning how things worked or simply pretending to drive Grandpa’s orange dragster - a ‘67 Chevrolet Camaro. Josh learned many life lessons while bonding with his grandfather over their years together. These memories were precious to him and his grandpa’s tutelage is what he credits for helping him grow into the caliber of man he was. He often spoke fondly of his family, especially of his Grandpa Johnson because of this time spent together. He spent the rest of his childhood in Gardner, KS where he graduated from Gardner Edgerton High School with the class of 2008 - he proudly played football for the Trailblazers while in attendance. After graduating high school, Josh lived in several locales: Knoxville, TN; Linwood, KS; and Pacific, MO to name a few. In all of these places, Josh amassed many beloved friends; however, as his friends already know, he did not differentiate between friends and family. If you were a friend, you were family to Josh. He was always a hard worker, whether for a job or for
becoming a better person, a better friend, or a better family member. Josh spent many years devotedly caring for his Grandma Johnson. He learned how to operate a directional drill for laying fiber and was an underground cable locator. He enjoyed many hobbies, his favorites included: working on cars and trucks; voraciously reading about the latest science and technology; target shooting with his favorite guns; and (most importantly to him) his family and friends.
Our family will remember the time Josh spent with us making us laugh, helping us however and whenever help was needed, and engaging in those hearty debates and thought-provoking arguments Josh was known for. He always loved us for exactly who we are. He was fiercely protective of his family and strived to help us cultivate the best versions of ourselves. So although we are left with the sharp pain of his life cut too short, he taught us many lessons in compassion, loyalty, resilience, and hard work while he was here. He would modestly claim this all as a legacy stemming from his time spent over coffees and conversation with his grandfather those all-too-few years ago. No doubt their conversations have begun again in earnest and we will feel the deep comfort of their quiet wisdom and love as they watch over us. Josh was preceded in death by his grandparents, Werner and Louise Wendler; and Wilfred and Patricia Johnson; aunt Kody Quint (Wendler); and several close friends who he - as always - considered more like family. He is survived by his parents, Kell Wendler, Stephanie Cecere (Johnson) and spouse Tony Cecere; sisters Kyra Lange (Wendler) and spouse Aleks Lange, and Adriana Wendler; numerous aunts and uncles; many cousins; his nephew Leo Lange; and his many good friends.
His family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:30am prior to the Graveside Service at 10:30am, both at the Mount Sidney Cemetery near Linwood, Kansas. Following the burial the family will be hosting a gathering from 11:00am until 3pm at the Harrington Family Event Center.
His early childhood was divided between Dodge City, KS and Lenexa, KS but it was in Dodge City where he fondly recalled spending early mornings with his grandpa Wilfred Johnson. In the wee hours of the morning, Grandpa would pick him up for conversations over breakfast and coffee at McDonald’s. Sometimes the two would spend hours sitting together talking - maybe unusual for most young children but not for Josh and his insatiable curiosity and penchant for good conversation. After their coffee together, Josh would spend time in Grandpa’s garage watching him tinker with tools and learning how things worked or simply pretending to drive Grandpa’s orange dragster - a ‘67 Chevrolet Camaro. Josh learned many life lessons while bonding with his grandfather over their years together. These memories were precious to him and his grandpa’s tutelage is what he credits for helping him grow into the caliber of man he was. He often spoke fondly of his family, especially of his Grandpa Johnson because of this time spent together. He spent the rest of his childhood in Gardner, KS where he graduated from Gardner Edgerton High School with the class of 2008 - he proudly played football for the Trailblazers while in attendance. After graduating high school, Josh lived in several locales: Knoxville, TN; Linwood, KS; and Pacific, MO to name a few. In all of these places, Josh amassed many beloved friends; however, as his friends already know, he did not differentiate between friends and family. If you were a friend, you were family to Josh. He was always a hard worker, whether for a job or for
becoming a better person, a better friend, or a better family member. Josh spent many years devotedly caring for his Grandma Johnson. He learned how to operate a directional drill for laying fiber and was an underground cable locator. He enjoyed many hobbies, his favorites included: working on cars and trucks; voraciously reading about the latest science and technology; target shooting with his favorite guns; and (most importantly to him) his family and friends.
Our family will remember the time Josh spent with us making us laugh, helping us however and whenever help was needed, and engaging in those hearty debates and thought-provoking arguments Josh was known for. He always loved us for exactly who we are. He was fiercely protective of his family and strived to help us cultivate the best versions of ourselves. So although we are left with the sharp pain of his life cut too short, he taught us many lessons in compassion, loyalty, resilience, and hard work while he was here. He would modestly claim this all as a legacy stemming from his time spent over coffees and conversation with his grandfather those all-too-few years ago. No doubt their conversations have begun again in earnest and we will feel the deep comfort of their quiet wisdom and love as they watch over us. Josh was preceded in death by his grandparents, Werner and Louise Wendler; and Wilfred and Patricia Johnson; aunt Kody Quint (Wendler); and several close friends who he - as always - considered more like family. He is survived by his parents, Kell Wendler, Stephanie Cecere (Johnson) and spouse Tony Cecere; sisters Kyra Lange (Wendler) and spouse Aleks Lange, and Adriana Wendler; numerous aunts and uncles; many cousins; his nephew Leo Lange; and his many good friends.
His family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:30am prior to the Graveside Service at 10:30am, both at the Mount Sidney Cemetery near Linwood, Kansas. Following the burial the family will be hosting a gathering from 11:00am until 3pm at the Harrington Family Event Center.