Paul Oscar Wendling (83) of Effingham

Paul Oscar Wendling, 83, of Effingham, IL, entered eternal glory on Friday, September 23, 2022 at 7:10 p.m. at Willowbrook Memory Care in Effingham with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham with Rev. Mike Burdick officiating. Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

Memorials may be made to LCMS World Relief and Human Care or the LCMS Joint Seminary Fund. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Paul was born on August 24, 1939, in Flora, IL to Oscar and Amelia (Poehler) Wendling. He married Judith Ann Montgomery on November 25, 1962 in Louisville, IL, and she survives. They enjoyed 59+ years of marriage.

Paul grew up on the family farm near the Effingham/Clay County Line. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, Louisville, IL where he was baptized into faith on September 10, 1939 and received the Rite of Confirmation on March 29, 1953. He graduated from North Clay High School with the Class of 1957. He briefly attended Eastern Illinois University.

Paul founded Paul Wendling Trucking in 1962 with one truck and a U.S. Postal Service mail contract. He was a multifaceted leader and handled all aspects of the business from driving to accounting. The company was incorporated in 1980 and became Direct Lines, Inc. Direct Lines continues to offer transportation solutions to customers locally and across the U.S. Paul never officially retired but continued to oversee operations until his Alzheimer’s diagnosis prevented him from doing so.

Paul will be remembered for his humility, generosity, and sense of humor. He was a devout Christian and served St. John’s Lutheran Church in many capacities including the Board of Elders, Sunday School teacher, Communion assistant, and more. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, outdoor activities, and traveling. In addition to St. John’s, Paul was a member of the National Star Route Mail Carriers Association, The American Truckers Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the Effingham Country Club.

Paul is survived by his wife: Judith; their children: Sara Sandifer and Steven Wendling (wife, Jill) both of Effingham; grandchildren: Christopher Sandifer (wife, Cheyenne) of St. Louis, MO, Sean Sandifer of Effingham, Ryan Sandifer of St. Louis, MO, Jackson Wendling (fiancée, Kayla Kroeger) of St. Louis, MO, and Meredith Wendling of Kansas City, MO; brother: Terry Wendling (wife, Janet) of Hot Springs Village, AR; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Vernon, Melvin, and William; sisters-in-law, Allene, Ilda, and Ruth; and in-laws, George and Evelyn Montgomery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the kind and loving staff at Willowbrook for their compassionate care.