Wendell Naegele

Wendell Dean Naegele I, of Saranac Lake was welcomed home into the Lords loving embrace on January 21, 2024. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family. Wendell was born in a farmhouse in a wheatfield three miles east and two miles north of Sylvan Grove, Kansas on April 19, 1936 to John and Alwina Naegele. He was the ninth of ten children.

Wendell grew up in Silvan Grove, before enlisting in the United States Army, proudly serving his country. He wound up in Saranac Lake, New York, where he fell in love with and married Shirley Doty. He devoted his life to her and their three kids. He worked for the phone company for 28 years, and in retirement he continued to enjoy his life and spend it with his kids, grandkids and great grandchildren.

He is survived by one sister, Elaine Frazier(Naegele) of Centreville, Alabama. He is survived by one son, Thomas and his wife Michele(Podolak) Jordan of Windsor, Colorado, one daughter, JoAnn and her husband Alan Latourelle of Saranac Lake, and one daughter-in-law, Heather Naegele(Lewis) of Tupper Lake. He is survived by three grandchildren, Bob Jordan (Shawna) of Arizona, Rachael Naegele of Saranac Lake, and Jaclyn Farrington (Colin) of Saranac Lake. His 5 great grandchildren also survive him, Alyssa Watson (Braeden) of Caledonia, Missouri, Cole and Jolie Jordan of Arizona and Merrick and Dean Farrington of Saranac Lake, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was embraced into the other side by the love of his life Shirley Naegele (Doty) who left him earthside almost 27 years ago. He was also welcomed by his son, Wendell Dean “The Dream” Naegele II. In death he also joins five sisters, Bernice Fortune, Violet Spracklin, Arnola (Nolie)Glaser, Norma Graham, and LaVera Dickie, as well as three brothers, John Naegele Jr., Gene Naegele, and Hubert Naegele.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no services at the request of Wendell. A private burial will be held at a later date with the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to High Peaks Hospice, Keene Valley Neighborhood House or a charity of your choice in Wendell’s memory.