Wendell L. "Sarge" Flanders

Wendell Flanders passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, at his home in Olney, Texas. Visitation will be held in the Chapel of Lunn Funeral Home on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Southside Baptist Church, with Pastor Josh Hagle officiating. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home of Olney.

Wendell was born on December 12, 1930, to the late Ralph and Reta (Land) Flanders in Harrisburg, Illinois. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri. He served as a career Marine, obtaining the rank of E-8 Master Sergeant, until his honorable discharge in February 1976. Those who knew him lovingly referred to him as "Sarge". Wendell married Patricia Ballard on September 9, 1951, in East Alton, Illinois, and spent over forty years together before she preceded him in death in January of 1997. He then married Lillie R. (Gathings) Jones on April 2, 2006, in Olney, Texas, and they spent seven years together as a married couple before she also preceded him in death in November 2013. Wendell was a member of the Southside Baptist Church of Olney. He was also a member of The American Legion Post 189 in Yampa, Colorado, for forty years. He enjoyed visiting the Olney Senior Cub Center as often as possible, and he also liked to meet with his coffee group daily. In his later years, Wendell perfected the art of the slingshot to deter undesirable varmints.

Survivors include his children and step-children: Scott Flanders & wife Kim of Mesa, Arizona, Susan Wilson and husband George of Craig, Colorado, Sally Peters and husband Barry of Fort Collins, Colorado, Sharyn Enloe and husband Clovis of Overton, Texas, Jimmie Jones and wife Tina of Olney, Texas, Keith Jones and wife Cathy, of Olney, Texas, Ray Jones of Megargel, Texas, Roy Jones and wife Denise of Olney, Texas, Patricia Story of Olney, Texas, Fay Walters and husband Robert of Arlington, Texas, Kim Williams and husband Glenn of Olney, Texas, and Pam Bowling of Olney, Texas: his sister Maudine Fornes and husband Tim of Evansville, Indiana. Survivors also include his numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, his siblings, Bruce Flanders, Leonard Flanders, and Mildred Young, his brother-in-law, Owen Young, his son-in-law, Billy Don Story, and his grandson Michael Flanders Enloe.

Memorial donations in memory of Wendell can be made to Southside Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Olney, TX 76374.