Obituary

Jerome Paul Wendt
Sep 29th 1944- Momentarily
In vita est multum sed multum amorem stercore

Jerome Paul Wendt , first born son of Marguerite Isabelle Carlson and Paul Fredrick Wendt entered into this world at  10:30pm Friday September 29th, 1944 at Sherman Hospital Elgin.  Long resident of Crystal Lake, He attended and graduated from Crystal Lake Lundahl Secondary, Junior High and Crystal Lake Community High School, class of 1962.  Deceased recently from injuries sustained at the local Jewell butcher counter fighting over Alaska crab legs.  Preceeded in death by his Father, Mother and twin sisters Margo and Tilly, who sustained only a short four week life in October 1942.

Graduating from High School, Wendt enrolled in Western Illinois University and intermittently worked at Franks Barber, Toy, and Hobby Shop to support his schooling.  In 1965, accepted as one of the first Domestic Peace Corps Volunteers (VISTA) under President Johnson, Wendt served for two years at assignments At Angel Job Corps, Yachats Oregon, and Great Onyx Job Corps, Mammoth Cave, Ky.

Leaving government service to great honor received from Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Wendt joined Mr Travel Inc., Chicago,  Illinois, as a travel agent in Nov 1967, commuting to work 55 miles every day from Crystal Lake, and working his way up, in 35 years, to become the firms Director of Operations and tariff expert, until the firm dissolved in 2004, whereupon Wendt retired.

In retirement Jerry taught ESL to immigrants and was active in the Retired Adults Program at McHenry County College, including consistent ten year inclusion in the College  expository writing annual until his lamented demise.

Wendt will lie in state this week at the Querhammer Funeral Home in Crystal Lake and will be interred at Memorial Park, Woodstock along with his parents and some unrelated person his late Mother took pity on and donated a grave to for burial , in one of her oft generous moods.

In lieu of flowers or plants, which Wendt was never good at sustaining anyway, Mexican paper flowers of brightest colors and popcorn strings along with colored Easter eggs, anything chocolate, and McDonald’s French fries will be welcomed .  Donations to The American Cancer Society will be appreciated in Wendt’s memory as a cancer survivor.

A very long Memorial service (a full flask and stash of Snickers bars is recommended to sustain  guests) will be held at England Pines, Jerry’s beloved farm residence, where poems by friends and endless honorarium eulogies will be endured.  Jan Bosman will be featured speaker to tell her favorite endearing lie about Wendt. 

A collation of Vitello Tonnato , crab stuffed mushrooms, and mango cheesecake will be served with Louis LaTour Corton Charlemagne following the service. 

While of substantial Queenly ambition,  Wendt was always an underchiever, and while never coming near any level of notable accomplishment in anything he ever did, nor producing any offspring of his own, he was undisputed expert in just one area- being able to cherish and treasure many many many friends in his grand adventure traveling about the world extensively.  In so doing, he claimed a singular  proud boast from his long life...  

He was grandly loved.


In vita est multum sed multum amorem stercore
(In life there is a lot of shit but also a lot of love)