1Sg Edward Wendling, Usa, Ret.

Ed Wendling, age 83, of Copperas Cove passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Ed was born on September 22, 1934, in Perrysville, Ohio to the late Carl and Margaret Gretzinger Wendling. On August 28, 1954, he married Marian Peters in Perrysville, Ohio. He was drafted into the United States Army on April 1, 1957, and later served in the Vietnam War. While serving he received many awards and medals including, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, Army Commendation Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He was most proud of being awarded the Soldier of the Year Award from the government of Thailand in 1969. Ed served for 22 years before retiring in 1978, while at Fort Hood.

After his retirement, he owned and operated Fun-N-Sun Pools and Spas in Copperas Cove. After running a successful business, he sold it in 2003 and traveled around the United States with his wife, Marian and their dog, Coco. They were members of the Texas Ramblers RV Club and enjoyed RV-ing with their friends for many years.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and two brothers.

Ed is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marian Wendling; daughter, Brenda Lozano, and husband, Eduardo; two brothers; one sister, and his beloved granddaughters, Victoria Coy and husband, David, and Sofia Lozano.