Wendell Holmes Hooks' Obituary
Wendell Holmes Hooks, 96, of Dupo, Ill., passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the Freeburg Care Center with his daughter-in-law by his side.
Wendell was born February 10, 1919 in Cairo, Ill., to Seldon Kirk and Julia Holmes, Hooks. He was the youngest of ten children, four of whom survived infancy.
At the age of eight he professed his religious belief eventually being baptized into the faith of Cairo First Baptist Church at a revival meeting. His church remained an important part of his life while living in Cairo, DuQuoin, and Dupo, Ill.
In 1931, at the height of the depression, Wendell’s mother became ill with a serious respiratory disease. Because his father had a job, Wendell was given the task of taking care of his mother as well as running the household doing the cooking, cleaning and laundry. Wendell was twelve years old at the time and it became necessary that he drop out of school to attend to his mother and the household. A year and a half later he was able to rejoin his class and graduated with the class of 1937, Cairo High School.
Upon high school graduation Wendell enrolled in Cairo Business College. As a graduate he decided a business career was not for him and he became employed by Illinois Central Railroad and worked alongside his father as a trainman.
In 1939, Wendell met Beatrice Gunter of DuQuoin while both were attending church at Cairo First Baptist Church. They married January 19, 1941 and were married for 67 years until her death in 2008.
As newlyweds, their married life took a critical turn December 7, 1941. War was declared on Japan and Wendell was drafted. He chose to enter the Navy and was trained as a radioman in both Wisconsin and Idaho. His duty station was Virginia Beach, VA. Wendell served on a Navy destroyer, the USS Plunkett, and a mine sweeper, the USS Project while patrolling the North Atlantic. His service in the Navy resulted in a severe hearing loss while doing sea side training. Upon discharge, Wendell was hospitalized for six months with what was then called shell shock, both conditions affected him his entire life.
On November 14, 1942, Wendell and Bea became the parents of their only child, Wendell Barry Hooks, R.Ph. and CGP, who pre-deceased both of his parents.
In 1948, Wendell, Bea and Barry moved to Dupo where Wendell worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad until his retirement in 1978.
Wendell enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, history, travel and his family. He was a 55 year member of the Columbia Blue Lodge 474 A.F. & A.M. He was a past member of the Dupo-East Carondelet Lion’s Club, the IOOF and Mississippi Valley Lodge 1009. On October 16, 1956 he was ordained as a Deacon of the Dupo First Baptist Church to which he committed his time, his service, his family and his faith.
Wendell was pre-deceased by his parents, S.K. and Julia Holmes Hooks, sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia (Robert) Stehr, brothers and sisters-in-law, Orbie (Daisy) Hooks and Roger (Vivian) Hooks. His wife, Bea, and his son Barry passed away within six months of each other in 2007-08.
He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Marlene Kolbe of Dupo, who has been his care giver for the past seven and a half years.
Also surviving is grandson, Richard (Beth) Hooks, their children Jorden and Isabelle, of San Antonia, TX and granddaughter, Kelly Shannon (Robert) Boyd, her children Van and Elissa Craton, and step-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Varian, and Ian Boyd of Cedar Park, TX.
Nieces, nephews and cousins survived.
A memorial service will be held at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo, Ill., on Saturday, April 11, 2015, visitation with the family from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Masonic Ritual at 9:45 a.m. The memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Gerald Phillips and Pastor Nate Adams officiating. Burial of cremains will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, Ill., following the service.
In lieu of flowers it was Wendell’s wish to have memorials made to Vitas Hospice, Freeburg Care Center for their kindness, support, and loving care given to both Wendell and Marlene.
What’s your fondest memory of Wendell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wendell?
Share a story where Wendell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wendell you’ll never forget.
How did Wendell make you smile?
