Wendell L. Walden, 73, of Princeton, passed away Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Gibson General Hospital in Princeton.

He was born July 13, 1944 in McLeansboro, Illinois to the late Estel and Ruth (Mitchell) Walden and had resided in Princeton since the late 1960's.

Wendell had served in the National Guard and Reserves following high school. He was an active member of Princeton Lions Club since the late 1980's and served in many offices, President, Secretary and Treasurer and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. Wendell was a man of great character, great husband and great father. He went to SIU and received an associate’s degree in drafting and architecture. He was a self-employed contractor who never truly retired, as he continued to be sought out for his handcrafted mastery of wood working and remodeling skills. He was a great debater who enjoyed challenging people to think for themselves and not accept the status quo and this included many letters to the editor.

Wendell is survived by his wife of 31 years, Angie (Schiff) Walden; children, Nora Nixon (Brad), James Walden (Toni), Beth Walden (Brenda), John Latella (Denise) and Julia Latella; grandchildren, Lacey, Logan and Miranda Nixon, Ian, Drew, Levi and Claire Walden, Gavin Walden and Gianni and Giovanna Latella; a sister, Jennie Brockman (Gary); several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his parents; aunts, Veta (Walden) Rush,  Vineta (Walden), Delphi Rogers and Blanche Lefly (Jerome).

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, with Father Brian Emmick officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Princeton. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Wednesday and again from 10 a.m. until the hour of service on Thursday at Colvin Funeral Home.