Wendell House

On August 20, 2019, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John “Wendell” House, passed away at the age of 93 in Matthews, N.C.

Born in Hamilton County, Ind. on June 3, 1926, he was the son of the late William Kenneth House and the late Myrtle Gustin House.      

Wendell graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1944. Before attending college, he partnered with his father operating the family farm in White River Township. In 1951 he graduated with honors from International College in Fort Wayne, Ind., with a degree in business administration. Moving into his career, he spent 25 years working for Farm Bureau Insurance in Indianapolis as an internal auditor, and as assistant manager of Rural Acceptance Corporation, a lending and finance division of Farm Bureau. In 1977, he transitioned to the banking industry. In 1979, he became president of Hamilton County Bank, a position he held until its merger with Fidelity Bank, where he served as Senior Vice President until retiring in 1986. 

Throughout his life, Wendell enjoyed many interests. In his early years, he was a leader in 4-H. He also worked with his uncle and cousins, showing prize-winning Belgian draft horses at numerous state fairs. He played basketball at Walnut Grove High School, and participated in a county softball league during his early adult years. He became an avid golfer, playing frequently until the age of 90, winning some tournaments and a trophy for a hole-in-one. He was both a college basketball and PGA golf fan. As a licensed real estate broker, he enjoyed buying old houses, remodeling and reselling them. He also enjoyed yard work and gardening.

Wendell’s most important priority was his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He always had time for his children, and spent much of his long retirement years involved in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and modeled a godly life and Christian character. He was kind, generous, humble and faithful. A colleague once said that he was the most honest man he ever knew.

He lived most of his adult life and raised his family in Carmel, Ind., but in retirement lived nine years in St. Augustine, Fla. and 20 years in Matthews, N.C.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Yvonne Fortner House, his children, Gary House and wife Laura, Gwen House Mitchell and husband Randy, seven grandchildren — Lindsay House Rockwood, (Tom Rockwood), Kristen House Ebsen, (Scott Ebsen), Ryan House, Megan House Horst, (Michael Horst), Jordan Mitchell, (Virginia Bowen Mitchell), Bethany Mitchell, and eight great-grandchildren. Wendell was preceded in death by his sister, Annabel Moore, brother Reese House, son, Greg House, (Lynn House Bird), and grandson, Nathan House.

A memorial service will be held at Plantation Estates in Matthews, N.C. on Saturday, August 24 at 1:30 p.m. The graveside service will take place at Arcadia Cemetery in Arcadia, Ind. on Saturday, August 31, at 11:00 a.m. An informal gathering, welcoming family and friends, will follow from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the White River Township Community Building (site of the old Walnut Grove High School), 12695 East 256th Street, Cicero, Ind. 46034.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to ACTS Legacy Foundation, (designation: Plantation Estates Samaritan Fund). www.actsretirement.org/legacy-foundation/support-acts-legacy-foundation.

Local arrangements are entrusted to Hartley Funeral Homes where you may send condolences at www.hartleyfuneralhomes.com or to RememberingWendell@gmail.com     

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