Wendel Brooks Crum

Wendel Brooks Crum died peacefully in his sleep on December 13, 2025. He was born in Lincoln, Illinois on May 11, 1934 to Scott Swayne Crum and Lee Etta Bernice Morris. Wendel attended Lincoln High School and earned his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois (1956). He moved to Dearborn, Michigan where he joined Ford Motor Company as an engineer. Wendel spent his entire career with Ford, where he led, engaged with, and impacted many different departments and divisions. He served in the military in the late 1950's and earned a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Michigan, Dearborn (1958). Wendel was known for his love of cars, music and reading science fiction books. In particular, he had a deep appreciation for jazz, classical and rock music. He compiled an extensive record, reel-to-reel, CD and cassette collection that was always the centerpiece of the living room where he could share his love with friends and family. Quiet and reserved with a dry sense of humor, Wendel enjoyed sharing stories about growing-up during the depression in Lincoln, Illinois and was fond of talking about the health benefits of having had red hair. If there is one thing he was known for, it was his devotion to his family and Wendel drove many miles to take his wife shopping and his daughters to music and dance lessons. Wendel was preceded in death by the love of his life Joanne (Arcon), his parents, and four siblings. Wendel is lovingly survived by daughters Laurie Pullen (Pete), Royal Oak, Michigan and Diana Lidgett (James G.) Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden; his grandchildren, Courtney Read (Sally), Langston Pullen, Zora Pullen, James T.W. Lidgett; great grandchild Aurora Pullen; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Wendel's life will be planned in the coming months. The family will announce the date and location once arranged. In honor of Wendel's love of music, donations may be made to WRCJ-FM Detroit listener-supported classical and jazz public radio station (https://www.wrcjfm.org/) or to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/) to support finding a cure for this devastating disease with which he was diagnosed.