Peter Wiant Wendler died from cardiac arrest October 17 at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Peter was born. April 27, 1932, to Anne (Wiant) and Willis J. Wendler, Fremont, Ohio. He attended Fremont
Schools until 1947, graduating from Gibsonburg High School in 1950. Pete majored in Business
Administration at the Ohio State University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and met
his future wife Marilyn (Marty) Van Voorhis.
He left OSU after his sophomore year to enter the Naval Aviation Officers Flight Training Program in
Pensacola, Florida. After marrying in 1954, the couple relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, while Pete
flew hurricane reconnaissance missions. A member of the original squadron of famed "Hurricane
Hunters," Pete was the youngest officer to achieve the rank of Plane Commander in his Airborne
Early Warning VW4 Squadron.
In 1957 Pete completed degrees in business administration, marketing, and advertising at OSU. Later, he
joined his father in the business at the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo. Initially the
co-owner, registrar, and director of the Home Study Course, Pete’s involvement eventually lead to
co-ownership of the school’s Toledo location and Kurtz Market, Toledo. Pete served as chairman of the
local Beta Theta Pi Toledo area alumni club and was an active member of the Toledo Jaycees. After
retiring, his passion for boating inadvertently led to a new career with Lakeside and North Harbor
Marinas, and later with Bodette Marine Supply of Toledo.
A Maumee resident since 1959, Pete served on Maumee City Council, the Maumee Plan Commission, and the
Maumee Administrative board for 22 years, 18 of which as chair. He was chairman of the Citizens
Committee for Schools, President of Union School PTA, and a founder of the Old Maumee Association.
Memberships include: the American Legion Post 333, Quality of Life Committee, Maumee Valley Historical
Society, Ohio History Society; Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor, The Toledo Country Club (past) and St.
Paul’s Episcopal Church.
A member of the Navy Hurricane Hunters Association, he continued to follow the paths of every hurricane
with great interest.
Above all, he was the quintessential family man whose greatest enjoyment was spending time with his
grandchildren and walking his golden retrievers.
Pete is survived by his wife Marty, daughters Laura (Kevin) Schneider and the Reverend Melissa (Robert)
Steinecker; son Andrew (Leigh); and his seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
His brother, Dr. Willis J. Wendler, preceded him in death.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Maumee,
OH, the Reverend J. Paul Board. There will be a reception held at the church immediately following the
memorial service. The family will greet friends on Friday, October 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church.
Arrangements are being handled by Marsh Funeral, Luckey. Considerations for memorial contributions are:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or Maumee Valley Historical Society.
Those wishing to express a word of encouragement, share a memory or photo may do so at
www.marshfuneralhomes.com.
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