Wendell Mears

  Wendell Mears, 88, longtime Ogallala resident, died Sunday, August 4, 2013, at Indian Hills Healthcare Community. 

Wendell Bailey Mears was born October 6, 1924 in Kearney, the son of Clarence C. and Alice (Bailey) Mears. He attended Kearney schools, graduating from Longfellow High School in 1942. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Kearney State College in 1949 and his Master of Arts in Education degree from Colorado State College in Greeley in 1950.

He enlisted in the Army, serving from 1943 to 1946 in the South Pacific, Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan during World War II.

On May 28, 1950 Wendell was united in marriage to Geraldine L. LaCornu of Kearney. To this union, two daughters were born. In 1952 the couple moved to Ogallala where Wendell taught high school Biology for a short time. He then began working for Goodall Electric which later became TRW. Wendell worked as a chemist in the capacitor division doing chemical and plastic development, which took him to Guadalajara, Mexico and Taipei, Taiwan. He retired after 32 years of service.

Wendell was a member of the Ogallala First United Methodist Church where he served eight years on the Board of Trustees. He was a life member of the Elks 1760 Lodge and a fifty year member of Ogallala Country Club/West Winds Golf. He enjoyed travel, wood working projects, home improvements projects, flowers, gardening and yard work.

Preceding him in death were his parents and an infant brother Lynn Allen Mears.

Survivors include his wife Geraldine "Jerri" Mears of Ogallala and two daughters: Kathy (Robert) Elliott of Denver, Colo. and Julie (Paul) Saalfeld of Kearney and three grandchildren: Kate Elliott of Salina, Kan., Bryan Saalfeld of Columbia, So.Car., and Aaron Saalfeld of Kearney.

The family chose cremation. The Memorial Service will be Saturday, August 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ogallala First United Methodist Church with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. There will be no visitation.

The inurnment will take place in the Kearney Cemetery at a later date.

A memorial has been established to the First United Methodist Church.j

 

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