Madeline Kendrick Pendleton

Madeline Kendrick Pendleton, 88

Madeline Kendrick Pendleton, 88, of Spencer, has passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Owen Valley Health Campus, Spencer, IN. She had been a resident there since October 28, 2009 due to massive stroke. Madeline was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Bloomington, Indiana.

Our mother's obituary will not ever reveal the fullness of her life or the love we have for her.

As sad as we are to lose our beautiful mommy and grandma, we are very happy to know that she will now reunite with some very special loved ones, especially our daddy. Our daddy has waited a long time for the love of his life to join him in heaven; what a wonderful reunion it will be. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord! Let the perpetual light shine on them forever and ever and ever!

Our parents were married almost 40 years when dad passed on October 17, 1987. One of Dad's favorite songs he often sang to Mom was "You are My Sunshine" while dancing in the kitchen waiting to listen to Paul Harvey on the radio. We carried on this tradition every day she spent at the nursing home. Our family has selflessly loved and taken care of her in the nursing home. At least two or three of her children visited each day to care for and spend time with her.

Our cousins Joey and Mike Overton and Cathy Hudson played a big part of helping care for Mom. They spent many weekends with Mom, despite the distance from Lafayette, just to spend the day with their Aunt Mal who they loved dearly.

Born May 13, 1927, in Lafayette, she was the oldest daughter of three, the late James Kendrick and Josephine Culley Kendrick. When Madeline was born, she only weighed 3 pounds and came home from the hospital in a shoebox. On her 13th birthday, her dad passed away and from then her mother raised her and her two sisters on her own.

She was raised in the Lafayette area, attended the catholic schools and graduated in 1946 from the all-girl high school, Saint Francis in Lafayette, IN. She was a member of St. Lawrence church. She had many classmates and friends, and they too will miss her dearly.

Before she married, she worked at Crown Laundry, St. Elizabeth Hospital and later worked in the office of General Telephone as switchboard operator.

Madeline met her lifelong husband, the late Ralph T. Pendleton (WWII veteran) at the Lafayette Aqua Y Alla skating rink and they later married on December 27, 1947, at St. Lawrence Parish in Lafayette, Indiana.

During their wedding reception, Ralph made a toast to her, stating, "We are going to have twelve children, six boys and six girls and they will all graduate from the same high school". That was the first time Mom had heard of these plans!

God blessed their marriage with twelve children, six boys and six girls and we did graduate from the same high school.

Our parents also raised their nephew, Randy Biggs, for over six years with a house full of kids.

Ralph and Madeline moved their family to a 242-acre farm in Spencer, Indiana in March 1968, where their children could benefit from the lessons and the values learned on the farm. They were poor farmers, but their lives were rich and blessed with twelve children who learned many important lessons of life on the farm. These lessons will live with us always.

Mom was the most wonderful wife, sister, aunt, friend, grandma and mother that anyone could have ever asked for. She was the type of person who would do anything for anyone and never expect anything in return, a truly selfless person. She always remembered birthdays, anniversaries or other special dates of friends and family members. She knew no stranger, always greeted everyone with a big smile and kiss and hug. She loved everyone and everyone loved her.

Madeline was a homemaker, farmer's wife and an avid baker. Although she cooked meals for fourteen people every day, there was always enough to share with neighbors and friends that might stop by. Everyone loved her cooking, especially the deer hunters. Mom was always very

busy in the summer time with canning vegetables from the garden, at least hundred quarts per vegetable, freeze berries and make jam. Mom loved family get-togethers, enjoyed traveling with her family, and she dedicated her entire life to her family. She enjoyed basketball and football games. She was sensitive to family and friends in need and was very active and on the go. Madeline loved feeding the deer, watching the birds, and told stories about the deer she saw, and how close they would get to the front door. She was known as Mommy to her children, their friends and other people who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Surviving is daughters, Connie Black (husband: Gary) of Monticello, Kay Pendleton of Spencer, Joyce Hasselburg of Crawfordsville, Bonnie Whitaker (husband: Dan) of Lafayette, Teresa Emery of Jamestown, TX, and Mary Jo Ranard (husband: Terry) of Spencer; sons, Jimmy Pendleton of Bowling Green, Mark Pendleton (wife: Charlene) of Poland, Kenny Pendleton of Spencer, Tony A.G. Pendleton of Bowling Green, Charles Pendleton of Brookston, and Brian Pendleton of Spencer; nineteen grandchildren, Michelle, Aaron, Chastity, Josh, James, Lawon, Ryan, Royce, Melanie, Dustin, Danny, Betsy, Tony, Derek, Drake, Jonathan, Taylor, Amber & Wade; 27 great grandchildren, Morgan, Jacob, Logan, Brady, Anastasia, Alexis, Christopher, Colsyn, Mattox, Madeline, Maisy, Waylon, Maddie, Radley, Chloe, Kirsten, Kara, Kyle, Cory, Isaiah, Lily, Elijah, Gabriel, Wayne, Cassie, Alex, & Jaxson; two great great grandchildren, Desmond & Cayden; eleven nieces and nephews, Cathy, Joey, Mike, Peggy, Diane, David, Darlene, Allen Lee, Randy, Ritchie & Bill; and many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

She will truly be missed by all.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandchild, Shannon Pendleton Falk; sisters, Charlotte Overton & Shirley Kendrick; nieces: Anna Overton & Patty Vail; and Several Brother in laws & Sister in laws.

Funeral services will be held 10am, Friday, April 22, 2016 at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home. Pastor Mindy Huffman Mahon officiate. Visitation will be held from 4-8pm Thursday and from 9am until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home.

Graveside service will be held at 3pm Friday at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette. Father Dominic Young will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Church Soup Kitchen, 612 Wabash Ave. Lafayette, Indiana 47905.

Online condolences can be made at www.westparrishpedigo.com