Wendell Seibert, 88, of Westlake, Ohio, and longtime resident of Beaumont, Texas, died on March 19, 2015.
Mr. Seibert was born on March 8, 1927, in Martinsburg, West Virginia, son of the late Elizabeth Trammell Seibert and Cleveland M. Seibert. As a young man Wendell enjoyed aviation, scouting, tennis and music. In 1943, he attained the rank of Eagle with the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1945, received an appointment to West Point, but immediately joined the Navy. Wendell was training aboard the USS Princeton for the Invasion of Japan when World War II ended in August of 1945. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Wendell graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1951 and began his engineering career with American Cyanamid that lasted until his retirement in 1993 from Texaco Petrochemicals.
On February 10, 1951, Wendell married Marie Cole and together they raised four children and developed households in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Cheshire, Connecticut and for thirty-seven years in Beaumont, Texas.
In addition to being a loving husband and a consistently supportive and selfless role model to his children, Wendell felt called to serve others. He was a volunteer leader in the engineering profession, civic organizations and boating education and safety. In 1988 he was elected the United States Power Squadron District 21 Commander that served most of Texas and western Louisiana. In 1988, Texas Governor Bill Clements recognized Wendell as an Honorary Admiral in the Texas Navy for his contributions to boating safety and education. In 1996, the United States Power Squadron bestowed upon his Life Membership.
Along with his family and volunteer work, Wendell’s most cherished role was to be a faithful disciple to Jesus and the church. In 1957, he was first appointed as a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. For over thirty years he served St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as a Deacon, Elder, Committee Chair, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, and Volunteer.
Wendell is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Marie Seibert, of Westlake, Ohio; daughter, Anne Seibert Steinbrecher and her husband, Jon, of Rocky River, Ohio; sons, John Seibert and his wife, Rin, of Valparaiso, Indiana; David Seibert and his wife, Melinda, of Nashville, Tennessee; and Jimmy Seibert and his wife, Laura, of Waco, Texas; grandchildren; Christopher and his wife, Tracy; Andy and his wife, Brittany; Preston and his wife, Carolyn; Abby and her husband, Kyle; Grace; Brandon; Lauren; Emily; Matt; Will; Caleb; Stephanie; and Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Addison and Brynn.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Cleveland “Buzz” Seibert Jr. and Philip Trammell Seibert; and sister, Harriet Ann Seibert.
A gathering of Mr. Seibert’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2015, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 27993 Detroit Road, Westlake, Ohio, under the direction of McGorray-Hanna Funeral Home, 14133 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.
There will be a second gathering of Mr. Seibert’s family and friends that will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2015, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
