Wendell Albert Sisk was born May 23, 1924 to Merl and Verga Sisk on a farm near Allendale, MO and graduated Grant City, MO high school in 1941. He attended NMSU in Maryville, MO for 2 years, then entered the US Air Force during World War II. He was Commissioned and flew combat missions in the SW Pacific as Navigator on a B-24 bomber. He continued his affiliation with the Air Force and Air National Guard until retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1968.
In 1947 he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Stevens, who remains. Together they raised 4 children, Steven of Lakewood, CO, Michael (Cheryl) of Omaha, NE, Susan (Matt) Harding of Olathe, KS, and Marcie (Drew) Monrad of Overland Park, KS, who with their spouses provided 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
In 1948 Wendell graduated from OSU in Stillwater, OK with a General Business degree. He worked as Asst Sales Mgr. at Stevens-Spainhower Motors in Grant City selling Ford cars, trucks, and farm machinery. Wendell’s parents and only brother were killed in an automobile accident in 1949, after which he operated the Sisk Farms until 1961.
He then joined the General Services Administration and served as Assistant Building Manager of the Mart Building in St. Louis, Building Manager of the Federal Buildings in Des Moines, IA including 26 Post Office facilities in southern IA, and Building Manager of the St. Louis Ordinance Plant. In 1969 Wendell served the GSA Regional Office in Kansas City as Chief of Accident and Fire Prevention for all Federal buildings in MO, IA, NE, MN, KS, ND and SD. Later he oversaw and assigned space for Federal agencies in these states. He became Chief of Operations of all Federal buildings in the 7 state region. In 1972 Wendell recruited and trained a 400-man armed Federal Police Force. They provided security and protection to Federal Buildings in the 7 state region. In 1978 Wendell became Building Manager of the Federal Buildings and leased facilities in Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS. He retired in 1981.
Wendell joined the Shriners in the 1950s. He remained active for over 50 years.
Wendell and Shirley, his beloved bride of 73 years, loved to travel by RV. They toured all of the US, Canada, Mexico, Central and Western Europe. They were long time members of the Wally Byam International Caravan Club, an Airstream RV owners organization and led many Airstream caravans from coast to coast.
Graveside services for Wendell will be at the Grant City Cemetery in Grant City, MO at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. The service will be streamed on the Andrews Hann Funeral Home Facebook page.
Due to the CDC recommendations and social distancing practices, a lunch is planned outside at the Allendale Park immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607 or to Ascend Hospice at 4550 W. 109th St. Suite 210, Overland Park, KS 66221.
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