Wendell D. Cleaver, 88 of The Woodlands, Texas peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Wendell was born in Olney, Illinois on September 23, 1934.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis Ritter Cleaver, his children, Cynthia (Gary) Tredup of The Woodlands, Texas, and Wendi (Craig) Remkus of The Woodlands, Texas, grandchildren, Mary (Richard) Gutierrez, Hannalee Tredup, William (Kalli) Remkus and Samuel Tredup, great-grandchildren, Aleigha, Sage, Hudson, Tres, Brenna and Greyson.

He was predeceased by his parents, William and Lela (Peer) Cleaver, and younger brother, Billy Neal Cleaver.

Growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois, Wendell was very involved in FFA (Future Farmers of America), raising and showing cattle, winning many blue ribbons and awards. Wendell started college going into Agriculture, but soon his interests changed to Geology. He attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois majoring in Geology. And, in 1970, Wendell received an MBA from the University of Chicago.

In February of 1956, Wendell married Phyllis and they immediately moved to Houston, Texas; he worked for Magcobar as a mud engineer. They moved back to Illinois in 1957, and Wendell began working for Northern Illinois Gas Company. Wendell's career spanned almost 30 years with Northern Illinois Gas Company (later Nicor). Wendell and Phyllis lived throughout the Chicago area, and in 1978, moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Wendell initially became VP of Nicor Drilling, and then, President. In 1987, they moved to Mobile, Alabama, where Wendell became Executive VP and COO of Mobile Gas Service Corporation. Wendell also served on the Board of Trustees of AmSouth Mutual Funds, Birmingham, Alabama. During his retirement, Wendell was tapped to be Absentee Ballot Chairman for Mobile County. Wendell and Phyllis joined Dauphin Way United Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama, where they were active. They helped revive the Stephen Ministry at Dauphin Way and volunteered with that ministry nationally for 9 years. They are members of The Woodlands Methodist Church in The Woodlands, Texas. Wendell was passionate about his family (especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren). He loved hunting, fishing, golf and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Wendell will be remembered as a caring and supportive man, who took great interest in his family and the community. He is loved and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday, December 12th at The Village at the Woodlands Waterway, 2323 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380. 

Mobile Register and Baldwin County, Mobile, AL