David Wendel

David A. Wendel of Portland, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at the age of 68. 

He was born Feb. 14, 1957, in Jay County. 

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Christa (Barga) Wendel; his sisters Becky Timmerman (Mike), Nancy Moser (Scott), Jane Kaup (Kenneth) and Amy Durham (Steve); sister-in-law Jackie Gerber; brother Andy Wendel (Katy); and his in-laws Gary Barga (Jane), Carol Petske (Steve), Janette Minch (Joe), Cynthia Linder (Bill) and Jerry Barga (Leigh Ann).

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Joann Wendel; mother- and father-in-law Ivan and Ella Mae Barga; brother Edward Wendel; and nephew Jonathan Wendel.

Dave owned and operated Wendel’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. He also owned and operated the Padua Pub for 7½ years.

Dave loved to go fishing and especially loved to pick on all of his nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He also found joy in getting the kids to pick on Christa with him. He will be deeply missed by all that he came in contact with.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Fr. Marty Sandhage presiding. Burial will follow in the Green Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and Monday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home.

Memorials can be for Masses or Jay Emergency Medical Service.