Wendell R. Gawthorp

Wendell R. Gawthorp, 84, of West Salem, IL passed away Saturday April 1 ^st , 2023 at Carle Richland Hospital in Olney, IL. He was born December 25 ^th , 1938, in West Salem, IL to Thomas J. and Estelle (Neikirk) Gawthorp. Wendell married Kyoko Shimada in Tokyo Japan on February 11 ^th , 1966.

He was a lifelong member of the Moravian Church of West Salem. Wendell was a member of the American Legion.  He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy for 30 years and enjoyed attending ship reunions.  Wendell liked to farm and garden, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and has traveled to all 50 states. He loved his family and friends, and he was proud to be the youngest of 8 siblings.

Wendell is survived by his wife Kyoko; son, Michael (Dawn) Gawthorp; sister, Shirley Myers; two grandchildren, Kevin, and Jared.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Estelle Gawthorp; siblings, Lucille, Paul, Opal, Hyla, Rosemary, and Dale Edward.

A graveside service with military rites will be held at a later date.

Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, West Salem, IL.