Wendell Vance Sevits, 100, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Schuyler County Nursing Home in Queen City, Missouri.

Born January 13, 1919 in Minot, North Dakota, Wendell was the son of Cyrus and Sylvia (Bell) Sevits. On June 3, 1945 in Kirksville, Wendell was united in marriage to Maizie Imogene Miller who preceded her in death on July 16, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Juanita Adams and one nephew, Winfred Adams.

Wendell is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Wanda Sevits of Greentop, MO, and Kendall and Kathy Sevits of Murfreesboro, TN; one nephew Wayne Adams and wife Shirley of Kirksville, MO; four grandchildren, Jamie (Ellen) Sevits of Nashville, TN, Jessica Sevits of Oak Ridge, TN, Chris (Melani) Sevits of Queen City, MO, and Jeremy (Sara) Sevits of Greentop, MO, as well as six great-grandchildren, Alex, Glenn, Elliott, Milo, Adalyn and Lydia.

Wendell attended the Hazel Creek rural school. Later in life he served on the Adair rural school Board which consisted of all the rural schools in the county. His passion was music. His first guitar was made from a cigar box and broom handle. After retiring he and Maizie played music for "the old folks" at area nursing homes for twenty years. He continued playing the French harp serenading guest at his 100th Birthday party. Wendell was a life long farmer in the Kirksville, Fegley area. He was a member of Gideons, a life long member of Hazel Creek Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and was instrumental in the building of the present church located on Rt. B north west of Kirksville. along with son Terry and grandson Chris.

Wendell was caretaker and was later on the Hazel Creek Cemetery Board for a number of years. He was a gentle, caring man of God.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday, June 18, 2019 with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor David VanLaningham officiating. Interment will follow at Hazel Creek Cemetery, northwest of Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Chris Sevits, Jeremy Sevits, Jami Sevits, David VanLaningham, Rodney May, and Jerry Fillkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Jamie Sevits, Wayne Barnhill, Doug Morton, and Darrell Hamilton.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Wendell may be made to the Hazel Creek Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.