Montezuma – Our dear husband, father, and grandfather, Jerry Lynn Wadel, was born to Clarence D. and Anna (Schmidt) Wadel on April 23, 1943 in Merced, California.  He quietly passed away surrounded by his loved ones on October 30, 2021 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City, reaching the age of 78 years.

When he was 8, he moved with his family to Fredonia.  There he completed his schooling, after beginning it in California.  At the age of 14, he felt the Lord's call and committed his life to Him.  He was baptized by Minister Frank Wenger on December 1, 1957 at Fredonia.

On December 1, 1965, a job opportunity took him and two cousins, Eddie and Richard Schmidt, to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he began the life of a land leveler.  Jerry loved the Mississippi Delta and its southern charm for 51 years.  On December 15, 1968, he married our mother, Judy Dirks at Montezuma.  They enjoyed married life for almost 53 years. Their home was blessed with three daughters.

In 1985, he left land leveling and started his own cookie franchise.  This type of work took him to a lot of different places, making many new friends.  1996 found him leaving the cookie business to work at Wal-Mart until he retired at the age of 70.  He then moved to Montezuma in 2016.  Dad was a friend to anyone and didn't know a stranger.  He also enjoyed singing and was in a couple of quartets in Fredonia and Clarksdale.

Left to cherish fond memories are his wife Judy of Montezuma; three daughters, Sonja and husband Clark Reimer of Grifton, North Carolina, Stephanie Koehn of Dalhart, Texas, and Alison and husband Todd Schmidt of Montezuma; eight grandchildren, Taylon, Alaina, Corey, Ashlyn, Averee, Connor, Brynley, and Greyson; his siblings, Jim and Sharon Wadel of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Carol and Clayton Wedel of Wingo, Kentucky, and Willis Wadel of Bethel Home in Montezuma; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Wadel of Bethel Home in Montezuma.  Also sharing in his loss are Judy's family, Janice and Joe Johnson of Macon, Mississippi, Gloria Holtz of Hutchinson, and Connie and Jim Sauer of Little River.  He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; one brother; one brother-in-law; one sister-in-law; one nieces, and one nephew.

We as a family would like to express our appreciation for all the acts of kindness shown at this time.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.