Derrick Justin Wendler, age 40, of Fayetteville, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Larry Martin officiating. Following the service there will be Firefighters Honor Guard and Masonic Rite #181. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.
Derrick was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on March 5, 1979 to the late George Richard Wendler and Judy Ann Wendler. He served as a Captain with over fifteen years of service as a Firefighter for Lemon Springs Fire Department and later with Benhaven Fire Department. He was a loving father, son, fiancé, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his mother, Judy Ann Wendler of Pinehurst; fiancé, Laurie Smith of Fayetteville; children, Justin Wendler and stepson, Richard Wicker both of Sanford; brothers, Sean Graver fiancé Lisa Stewart of Pennsylvania, Michael “Bill” Wendler (Kris) of Pennsylvania, Erick Wendler (Amy) of Sanford; grandchildren, Savannah Wagner, Arabella Burns and Declan Griffin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, P O Box 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 or visit www.firehero.org. and also to Masonic Lodge #181.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Vass.
