George William Wendel

George William “Bill” Wendel, 99, formerly of Martinsburg, WV, died peacefully at home on December 27, 2023. He was born on July 13, 1924 to Peter F. and Lillian Wilson Wendel in Somerville, NJ. In addition to his parents, He was preceded in death by his wife, and 3 brothers, Fred, Joe, and Frank. After enlisting in the US Army in 1943, he served in the 133rd Infantry as a cannoneer during the Italian campaign of World War II, seeing action in Naples, Foggia, the Po Valley, Arno, Northern Apennines, and Rome. After the war, he attended Iowa State University where he received a degree in Forestry, and continued to Yale University, where he received a Masters Degree in Forestry. After stints with the North Carolina and New Jersey Departments of Forestry, he joined the US Forest Service at the Timber and Watershed Laboratory in Parsons, WV in 1962. During his long career as a Research Forester, he authored/co-authored numerous studies and USDA Forest Service publications. A Google search of G. W. Wendel will yield many of these papers. 1962 was a momentous year, as he married Charlotte Wright Kastenbein in July. They met as pen pals while he was working in North Carolina, and she in New Jersey, and were happily married for almost 56 years until her death in 2018. After his retirement from the Forest Service, the couple relocated to Martinsburg, WV, and he joined the US Peace Corps in the Philippines improving local forestry methods. Upon his return, he continued to work part-time as a Licensed Land Surveyor for several years. Bill was a tireless volunteer with his church, and was always willing to drop everything to help someone in need. He loved the outdoors, was a talented woodworker and artist, and a champion whistler. He is survived by a daughter, Chris (Rich) Wendel-Rush of Jefferson, PA, a son Bernie of Waterford, MI, 4 grandchildren-Alex Rush of Waynesburg, PA, Reagan (Billy) Rush Bowlen of Greensburg, PA, Lucas and Jessica Wendel of Waterford, MI, one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Bowlen, and 4 nephews. Arrangements are under the direction of the DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, Dolfi Chapel, 65 North Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, PA, Stacey A. Dolfi, FD. Interment is private. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, WV.

George William Wendel

July 13, 1924 - December 27, 2023