William Kevin Wenzel, 70, passed away on April 2, 2024, in UPMC Community Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pa.
Kevin and Teresa had traveled to Pennsylvania on business to deliver windows to be tested at labs in York, Pa. On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Kevin and Teresa were headed to Gettysburg for a long-awaited visit. Kevin was driving when he knew something was wrong. He got the truck stopped and in park before he collapsed and kept Teresa from being injured. Kevin was transported to UPMC Memorial in York, Pa. and after a day in ICU was moved to the ICU at UPMC in Harrisburg, Pa. Teresa immediately called their oldest, Jason, and he jumped on a plane and was there Tuesday evening. Jason was with his Dad and Mom the whole time and drove them home to Vandalia.
The visitation will be at Bienhoff Funeral Home in Vandalia from 3 to 5 p.m. on April 14. The funeral will be held at Mexico United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on April 15. Pastors Eric Mattson and Helen McFarland will conduct the service. There will be a private burial later in Liberty Christian Church Cemetery.
Kevin was born in Mexico, to William Arthur and Edna Adele (Davis) Wenzel on January 11, 1954. Kevin graduated from Community R-VI in 1972. Kevin married Teresa Lou Horton on August 25, 1972, at the Martinsburg Community Church. Kevin and Teresa attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kevin graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
Kevin farmed and worked at A. B. Chance in Centralia, and Harbison/Walker Refractories in Vandalia. Then on March 22, 1983, Kevin was hired in Sales for Target Aluminum, Inc. Kevin had just celebrated his 41st Work Anniversary with what is now Target Windows and Doors. To say Kevin loved his job would be an understatement. He was proud of the product he represented, the fine people that he worked with, and his loyalty to the company. He loved traveling, meeting dealers, and fixing service problems.
Kevin and Teresa had been married for 51 years, 7 months and 8 days. Teresa will greatly miss her best friend and partner in life. Kevin is survived by two sons, Jason (B. J.) Wenzel of Kearney, and their children, Erin and Tristan Wenzel, and Craig Wenzel of Vandalia,. Kevin was very proud of his grandchildren and their achievements.
Kevin is also survived by his Mother-in-Law, Carolyn Horton, Osage Beach, his sister, Kaye (Charles) Bigelow, and his brother, Mike (Kim) Wenzel, all of Mexico, and three nieces, Tricia, Michelle, and Crista, and two nephews, Mark, and Brian. Also, surviving are two great-nieces, Samantha and Danielle, whom Kevin enjoyed watching grow their families. Teresa’s brother, Dennis Horton of Osage Beach, and Dennis’s son Andrew (Brenna) Horton and family of Marshfield, also survive. Kevin grew up with countless cousins who have great stories about their times together.
Kevin discovered genealogy and loved working on his family history. He was particularly interested in his mother’s Southern heritage and had several file boxes full of files about relatives who were Confederates in the War Between the States. Kevin and Teresa made two pilgrimages to Eutaw, Ala. where Kevin’s great-great-grandfather, Attoway Reeder Davis, Sr. established himself after moving from Fairfax County, Va.. Kevin’s great-grandfather, Attoway Reeder Davis, Jr. was in the 43rd Alabama Infantry, “Gracie’s Pride.” In 1873, most of the Davis family left Alabama and moved to Audrain County.
Kevin was 1st Lieutenant of the Missouri Division Sons of Confederate Veterans and had been planning the 2024 Reunion at Sikeston, for a year. Sadly, it will be held without him. He was Adjutant of Elijah Gates Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans in Auxvasse. Kevin was a life member of the Military Order of Stars and Bars.
Kevin was Vice President of the Board of Directors of the United Credit Union. He was a member of the Mexico United Methodist Church and was Lay Leader of the congregation.
Kevin loved deer hunting as well and had just gotten back the mount of his last big buck. Kevin had a nature of service and if he belonged to an organization, he was very involved. He also had a passion for taking care of cemeteries. He cleaned who knows how many tombstones and cared for the Jefferson Jones Cemetery in Callaway County by regular mowing and cleaning.
Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, William and Edna Wenzel, and his Father-in-Law, Clarence Horton.
Memorials may be given to the Mexico United Methodist Church, 122 E. Promenade, Mexico, Mo. 65265
