Wendell M. Pace, age 96, passed away at his home in Jasper on June 22, 2023.
Family will be receiving friends on Monday, June 26, 2023, from 10 until 11 a.m., at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home. Service will follow at 11 a.m., in the Kilgore-Green Chapel, with burial at Walker Memory Gardens. Rev. Joel Daniels will officiate.
He was born to parents John C. Pace and Nellie Williams Pace on June 17, 1927. Wendell served in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II. He married Emma Jean Richardson on January 13, 1951. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Wendell greatly enjoyed hard work and being outdoors. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America for over 70 years. He enjoyed his job as a heavy equipment operator, so much so that years after retirement he would comment that he wished he could grab his lunch box and head back to the mines. After retirement he operated his own sawmill (well into his 80’s) which kept him connected to old friends as well as opportunity to make new ones.
He was a long time member of The Church of the Nazarene. He best served God by serving people in generosity and honesty in all things. And as Wendell often said, “It’s best to leave while they still hate to see you go”. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jean Richardson Pace; son, M. Dale Pace; granddaughter, Carrie Martinie; parents, John C. and Nellie Pace; brother, Dean Pace; sister-in-law, Ann Pace; and in-laws, Ben and Ruth Richardson, James W. Brooks and Donald and Eleanor Clay.
He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Martinie (Gary); grandchildren, Dan Martinie (Ashley) and Michael Martinie (Chelsea); great grandchildren, Millie Martinie, Bennett Martinie, Nora Martinie, Emersyn Martinie; brothers, Doyle Pace and Tommy Pace (Joan); in-law, Bettye Pace, Elaine Brooks and L.C. “Sonny” and Jean Richardson and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Krista and Ben Stokes, Machelle Brown and Cindy Wright for their devoted love and care of Wendell. Thanks also to Wendell’s hospice nurse, Ashton Inman.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to, Northside Church of the Nazarene or Jasper First Church of the Nazarene.
