Published on August 25, 2026 8:48 am
Last Updated on August 25, 2026 11:04 am
Donald Lee Wendling, 90, of Altamont, Illinois died at 6:41 pm on August 19, 2026 at the Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, Illinois. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday August 29th at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Altamont. Rev. Scott Niermann will be officiating. Military burial rites will follow at St. Paul (Blue Point ) Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Altamont. Visitation will be on Friday, August 28th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at Kull Funeral Chapel, Altamont. Also from 9:30 a.m. until the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Altamont Lutheran Interparish School, Willow Breeze Hospice House or to the donor’s choice.
Don was born November 4th, 1935 in rural Altamont, the son of Elmer F. Wendling and Julia B. Oldenburg Wendling. He was educated at Blue Point Lutheran School and Altamont Community High School. Graduating with the ACHS class of 1954, he worked as as plumber/ office manager at R&H before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After boot camp, he served at Fort Meade, Maryland, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class. There he met and married Ruby D. Alexander on June 2, 1957 , at the Post Chapel while both were on active duty. Returning to Altamont, he continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve for the remainder of his six year commitment, and was employed by Grobengieser Sons. In 1967, he started Dons Refrigeration, a business that continues to be operated by his son Jeff. Don and Ruby also operated the Cuckoo Clock Grill for a year, and he later started another business, Dons Engraving. In his retirement years, he enjoyed RV travel, woodworking and quilting.
Don was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, baptized and confirmed at St. Paul, Blue Point, then serving Immanuel in various capacities, including Sunday School Superintendent and Fair Stand manager. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America for many years, serving as Cub master, board member, taking two trips to Philmont Scout Ranch, and earning the Silver Beaver award. Don and Ruby hosted foreign exchange students from Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Poland, as well as organizing the visits of foreign students from Chile, Columbia, Japan, Mexico, and elsewhere. Don served on the Altamont City Council for over 23 years and was the Altamont representative on the original board of the Illinois Municipal Electrical Agency, where he also served as Vice President. He was a long time member of the Altamont Chamber of Commerce, including terms as President. He was a member of the community advisory board of First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust and the I-70 Growth Association. Don and wife Ruby were honored as Altamont Citizens of the Year in 1998.
Don is survived by his sons, Greg of Missouri City, Texas; Rick (Andre`) of Portugal; Russ (Frances) of Ramsey, Minnesota; Jim (Linda) of Gap, Pennsylvania; Jeff (Gaby), Tom (Diana), and Jon (Roxana) of Altamont; his sister Bernice LaBerta of Altamont; 17 grandchildren, Jamie, Alex,Raymond, Kerri, Abby, Nyssa, Lori, Ally, Stephanie, Sara, Kindra, Mandie, Calvin, Andrea, Jesus, Austin, and Violet. 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 51 years, Ruby, in 2008; his brother Arlon (Betty) Wendling; his sister-in-law Patricia (Ken) Pierce; and his brothers-in-law Leonard LaBerta and Robert (Margaret) Alexander.