Obituary

Marvin R. Wedel, 88, of Newton, died Friday (Sept. 3, 2010) at Newton Medical Center.

He was born on Feb. 19, 1922, on the family farm in McPherson County, to Jacob and Susie Buller Wedel.
As a child, Marvin’s family moved to a farm southeast of Newton, where he was raised. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II in Italy and Corsica. Upon being discharged, Marvin returned to Newton. Marvin began working at Duke Lumber Yard, where he met the bookkeeper, Wanda Lois Matthaei. They were married on Jan. 22, 1947, in Newton. In 1958, Wedel Construction Co. was begun. Through the years, Marvin built many houses and commercial buildings in the area. He was most proud of the work he did at Midland National Bank, Century Clothing, Mennonite Press at the airport, and was a major part of building the Kansas Christian Home campus. Marvin was one of the first local contractors to work with pre-stressed construction.

Marvin was a charter member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church and a founding member of the Harvey County Builders Association. He also was a member of the American Legion Post, VFW Post, Newton Area Chamber of Commerce and was active in Boy Scouts, the American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.

Survivors include his wife, Lois of the home; one son, Allen Wedel and wife Pam of Newton; two daughters, Shari Kaiser and husband Roger of Hummelstown, Pa., and Susan Bartel and husband Fred of North Newton; seven grandchildren, Todd Wedel and wife Adrianne, Scott Wedel and wife Crystal, Kim Algrim and husband Tyler, Rebecca Thomson and husband Gary, James Kaiser and wife Tomoko, Amanda Perez and husband Dierik, and Justin Bartel; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Martha Koehn of Buhler. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Alpha, Alvin, Orpha, Milford, Eldon and Brinton Wedel; and two sisters, Frieda Becker and Ella Becker Pankratz.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday, where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial has been established with Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, contributions may be left at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.