Ralph L. Wendt (65) of Montrose

Ralph L. Wendt, 65, of Montrose, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at his home in rural Montrose.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery in Montrose. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. Monday prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be made to Shriner’s Hospital and Carle Auxiliary Guest House in Champaign. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Ralph was born November 9, 1956 in Carmi, Illinois the son of Henry and Virginia (Loy) Wendt. He married Rita Will on June 19, 1976 at St. Rose Church in Montrose. Ralph worked for Siemer Milling for forty-four years. He was a member of St. Rose Church in Montrose. He was a volunteer Fireman and served on the Montrose Village Board for many years. Ralph loved his family and beamed with pride of his grandkids. He was hard working and happy to lend a hand to whoever needed it. He knew no stranger. If it was broke, he would fix it. Ralph enjoyed deer hunting, mushroom hunting and most of all being with Rita and his family and friends in the Shed. He repaired many four wheelers and he and his son painted many tractors together. His smile was contagious, and his one-line sayings brought a lot of laughs and smiles to all who knew him. He truly was one of a kind.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 45 years, Rita Wendt of Montrose; children, Jeanette (Kent) Koester of Teutopolis, Stacey (Rick) Hemmen of Lillyville, and Eric (Jody) Wendt of Lillyville; grandchildren, Kenna, Mitch, Megan, Cody, Carly, and Paisley; mother, Virginia Wendt; siblings, Linda Dhom, Larry (Karen) Wendt, Janice (Jack) Wear, Peggy (Mike) Robertson, Becky (Tim) Heuerman, Don (Kristy) Wendt, Karl (Jackie) Wendt, Jackie (Kurt) Strohl, and Steve (Anita) Wendt; and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Henry Wendt; brother, Kenny Wendt; niece, Jodi Wear; nephew, Troy Hendrix; in-laws, John Barbara, Ted Dhom, James and Vera Kroeger, Donald and Mardel Buenker.