Wendell Wayne Stoelting, 90, Freelandville, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014, at his daughter’s home in Indianapolis.
Wendell was born November 4, 1924, in Freelandville on the family farm that he lived on and cared for his entire life. He was the third born son of Andrew P. and Ethel L. (Jones) Stoelting. His parents and two older brothers, Virgil and Maurice, preceded him in death.
A 1942 graduate of Freelandville High School, he married Helen L. Pieper on Nov. 26, 1955. They were married 58 years; she passed away July 30, 2013. The last few years of his life were devoted to taking care of his wife who was mostly housebound. Throughout this time, he worked hard to fix her meals, keep up with household chores, and drive her to her doctor’s appointments.
Throughout his life, he worked to make the farm that has been in the Stoelting family for the past 155 years, a more productive and beautiful place. Interested in soil conservation techniques, he practiced contour farming, terracing, conservation tillage, crop rotation, and liming. He also installed grassways and windbreaks, all of which have greatly improved the family farm.
He was a member of the Bethel Church. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, gardening and taking care of farm animals and his pets, many that were rescued after being abandoned or placed in shelters. One of his greatest joys was delivering homegrown produce to those who did not have gardens. He was well known for his delicious Big Boy tomatoes.
Wendell is survived by his daughter, Beverly Burch and her husband, Mike, of Vincennes; his daughter, Wendy Stoelting-Gettelfinger and her husband, Dan, of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Heidi Bushnell and her husband, Jordan, Haley Burch, Mikayla Burch, April Gettelfinger and Andy Gettelfinger; nieces and nephews, Robert K. Stoelting, Ann Stoelting-Sputh, Karen Stoelting, Fred Pieper, Jim Pieper, Wendell Pieper, Ray, Pieper, Bill Pieper, Carol Pieper-Etmier, Andy Pieper, Doug Pieper, and Nancy Allen.
Funeral services were at 3 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Church in Freelandville, with the Rev. Bill Pieper, a nephew, officiating. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery. Visitation was from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the church. Memorial contributions were made to Bethel Church.
Interment was in Bethel Cemetery in Freelandville.
Arrangements were handled by Cox Funeral Home, 218 South Meridian Street, Jasonville, Indiana.
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