Anthony R. MENDENHALL

News Death Notice

MENDENHALL, Anthony R. (Tony) Was born in Springfield, Ohio back in the middle ages on February 28, 1951. I met my demise on June 10, 2015 at Springfield Regional Hospital in the presence of my loving family. I was 64 years old. I must have died from heart failure or end-stage renal failure. Guess I could've died from pizza overdose. I am the son of Elwood Ward and Gloria (Mendenhall) Bredenkamp. I was a proud member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. I was a lifelong resident of Clark County. I graduated from Springfield North High School in 1969 with an emphasis on practical joking and memorizing everything on the walls in the principal's office. Then I graduated in 1973 from Wittenberg University with a barely-made- it degree majoring in Special Education and Child Psychology (no-really!). Once I finally got serious, I received a Master's Degree in School Administration from Wright State University in 1977. Oh, to have so much education and not know a thing. One of the few advantages of dying from heart disease and/or kidney failure is that you have the time to write your own obituary. The other advantages are that I am no longer bothering with sunscreen or going to dialysis three times a week. In my professional life, I was an educator and school administrator in the Greenon Local School District from 1973-1993 before retiring due to that damn heart attack. After a five year hiatus, and feeling much better, I took the stress-free (?) job as a REALTOR. I worked for Link-Hellmuth, ReMax, Assist-to-Sell and Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors. During that time, I was a member of numerous state committees with the Ohio Association of Realtors, a member of the National Association of Realtors and was President of the Springfield Board of Realtors and REALTOR of the Year, both in 2003. After 17 years, I was done with that crazy business! Some things you may not have known about me: I was a Freemason (following in my dad's and grandfather's footsteps at Clark Lodge 101). I was also a member of the Scottish Rite in Dayton and actively participated as a member of the Shriners. I was a Kentucky Colonel, as commissioned by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. My favorite vacation spot is Sanibel Island in Florida (That's where Rita and I renewed our wedding vows in 2013). I've been a national & international winner of numerous competitions as a hobo clown (T-Bone) with the Shriners. I wrote a book of haiku, entitled "Sake and Biscuits". I lived and worked in Panama (not Florida) as a dock worker and painted pipeline in the jungle (unfortunately, it's now Paradise Lost). I was in a commercial for Good Samaritan Hospital. Also, I traveled to numerous countries in Central and South America. I seemed to have followed in my father's thespian footsteps by directing and acting in plays. I directed the musical "Footloose" (along with Rita) and performed in several musicals - including acting alongside my daughters in "The Wizard of Oz" with Lacey and in "Footloose" with Lindsay. And I have been and I'm still going to be an avid fan of Ohio State football. Go Bucks! O-H-... I can't hear you (funny stuff right there)! I was a beer can collector and promoter of Baseball Card & Memorabilia Shows throughout the state. I loved most sports, and enjoyed playing softball and tennis. But I absolutely abhorred golf. Of course, I was no good at it. I am survived by my mother Gloria and father Jim Bredenkamp; my wife Rita of almost 30 years; my daughter Lindsay Mendenhall Clark and her husband, my son-in-law, Keith and granddaughter Ella Grace; my daughter Lacey Elizabeth; sisters Susan (Earl) Osborne, Linda (Brian) Doyle, Diane (Tim) Chereck; brother Jerry (Cindy) Bredenkamp, mother and father-in-law, Bob and Ruby Compton, brother-in-laws William (Carolyn) Compton, Rick (Stacey) Compton, many wonderful nieces and nephews; and best friends Kent and LuAnn Anderson. I'm sure I missed someone but not by intention. On a serious note for a moment, my greatest blessings have been the four angels God allowed me to have in my life: my PERFECT and loving wife Rita, my two selfless and caring daughters Lindsay and Lacey (sometimes silly and sometimes sillier) and certainly not last is my precious granddaughter Ella Grace (you have been and always will be "My Sunshine Girl"). The absolute love and unwavering support of EVERYONE in my family is IMMEASUREABLE! Knowing and loving each one of you has been the success story of my life. For a guy that really isn't deserving of such love, I was so fortunate and blessed that God allowed me that luxury. And home is definitely where the heart is! Special thanks to Drs. Mohey Saleh and Wilhelm Kalweit for being instrumental in saving and prolonging my life. Also, I want to thank Pastor Dan Powell and his wife Jill for their longtime friendship and spiritual inspiration. God is good! I would like all of you to know that my work here is done. I received a "call," (a sort of offer you can't refuse) for an appointment from which I will not be returning. However, this new assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus: a reunion with family and friends that I haven't seen in quite awhile. My last wish is simply this: do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need. Remember to pay it forward. Having bored you with my life's story and if anyone is still reading this, remember me by having some pizza and a few beers. Cheers! Guess this is it then. See you somewhere down the road. I can't imagine how much this rambling monologue will cost. Sorry guys... I love you all! I'm hoping family and friends will join me Sunday, from 2:00 - 4:00 for the viewing at Littleton and Rue Funeral Home and on Monday at 10:30 for the funeral at Grace Lutheran Church, with Pastor Daniel M. Powell officiating. Maybe you will find one or two positive things that made my life worthwhile. If you see fit, forget the flowers (no sense in them dying too) and make your gift to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and/or the American Heart Association. "Keep makin' memories." You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.com