Michael Brandon Wendel, age 52, of Portland, IN, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne, IN.  He was born on Monday, October 1, 1973, in Portland, IN.  Michael married Shenelle M.L. Wagner on Saturday, June 27, 1998 at Bearcreek Farms.  Michael was a 1993 graduate of Jay County High School. He worked as a painter at UTA/Lear, Pennville Custom Cabinets, was a truck driver for Schnider, as a blacksmith at Portland Forge, and for Frontier Safe in Ft. Wayne Michael enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, karaoke, and family game nights and bowling.

He will be forever missed by his wife - Shenelle M.L. (Wagner) Wendel, Portland, IN, daughter - Shanda (Brad) Fisher, Berne, IN, son - Zachary Galloway, AK, daughter - Kristen (Isaiah) Wendel, Portland, IN, daughter - Reba (Keagan Johnson) Wendel, Bluffton, IN, son - Wyatt Wendel, Portland, IN, grandchildren – Makaiah (Nolan Alsip), Maddix, Paisley, Karissa, Great Grandchild – Zayden, brother - Justin (Brenda) Wendel, brother - Chuck (Erin) Wendel, sister - Alisa Blount, Nephews & Nieces - Ethan Wendel, Chip (Demi) Wendel, Ellie Wendel, Harlee (Greg) Larson, Hailey (Hunter Wagers) Wendel, Hollie (Nathan Doyle)Wendel, aunts – Edna, Laura, and Carolyn.

He was preceded in death by his father - Michael P.  Wendel, mother - Barabara Ann (Hanke) Wendel, grandparents – Seraphin "Turk" & Olive Wendel, and Edwin & Christine Hanke, uncles – Charles Wendel & Donnie Veach, Bill Delauter, aunts- Sonja Wendel, Kay Delauter, and Mary Jane Winters.

Family and friends may gather to share and remember at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home located at 100 N. Washington St. Geneva, IN. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. and one hour prior to services on Friday, May 15, 2026.

A service to celebrate his life will be at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home at 12:00 PM on Friday, May 15, 2026 with Pastor Aaron Huey officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Lawn Cemetery in Geneva.

Preferred memorials:   Jay Co. Conservation Club or Jay Co. Archers

Arrangements are being handled by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva.

Online condolences may be made at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com