Wendell Clair Mustain

Wendell Clair Mustain, 93, with a sideways wink broke out of the dementia lockdown unit of the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mexico, MO on September 20, 2016, to go to that special golf course in the sky.  He joined family and friends in Heaven’s club house before playing a round and making another hole in one to add to his previous four right here on earth. Joining him for the first round on his angel’s fairway will be Pottsy, Silvers and Trusdale—they were quite the team.

Wendell was born in Galesburg, IL, September 5, 1923, the fourth child of Roland G. and Ethel P. Mustain.  He married Mary Jane Strack in Freelandville, IN, on June 17, 1947, and then went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Knox College in Galesburg, IL in 1948.

Wendell served during WWII as a B-24 (Makin’ Believe) Pilot in the Army Air Corp. He and his crew flew 7 missions over Germany making sure Hitler’s Army did not receive the ammunition and supplies that were being shipped to them.  After working a couple of years for Swift & Company he rejoined the Air Force for the Korean Conflict and served at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.  When his tour was done, he moved his family to a farm in Centralia, MO in 1952 which became his most favorite place in the world. Since every time he moved to another house, he had another child, he quickly needed more money than a farmer made at that time, and took the position of manager at the MFA Central Coop in Centralia.  He and Dale Doty also built and ran the Redwood Motel to help, and refereed many high school basketball games in the area.  He enjoyed these jobs for about 10 years, moved into town, and had two more children (twins) after that move.  Because of having all these Centralia High School graduates, he was so proud to have served on the Board of Education with Dr. Boren for 20 years.  Until his retirement he worked at Boone County Federal Savings and Loan Assn. of Centralia giving home loans to many young families, who are now the grandparent generation of Centralia. After having one more child, they moved to a smaller place on Pool Street and as soon as he retired he was anxious to move to the country club so he could play golf every day.

Wendell was preceded in the foursome by his parents, his wife (Jane) of 60 years, his brother, Reginald, and sister, Eleanor.  He is survived by one brother, Roland G. Mustain, Jr. of Green Valley, AZ.  He is also survived by his six children (good grief):  Susan Wilson (Greg) of Washington, MO, Steve Mustain (Jeani) of Head of St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia, Bill Mustain (Diana) of Jefferson City, MO, Jim Mustain (Lori) of Belleville, IL, John Mustain of Springfield, IL, and Mark Mustain (Michelle) of Centralia, Wendell is also survived by his five grandchildren:  Luke Wilson, Los Angeles, CA, Lucian & Jeana Mustain, Nova Scotia, Shelby Mustain, Jefferson City, and Will Mustain, Centralia, currently in college at Rolla.

A military graveside service will be held on October 22 at GlenDale Memorial Gardens in Centralia at 11:00 am.  Since Wendell’s three favorite things to do in retirement was play golf, poker, and drink at the Country Club, his children will host a reception after the service (noon) at the Centralia Golf and Social Club for all his family and friends.

Since Wendell didn’t care much for flowers or yard work, the family would prefer you make a donation to the Missouri Veteran’s Home, #1 Veteran’s Dr. in Mexico in his name.  He and his family loved and were honored to have him spend over five years at the Missouri Veteran’s Home. At the home he loved BINGO, teasing his nurses and attendants, and watching old TV programs and CUBS baseball.  His family is so sorry that Wendell will forever miss his beloved cubbies win the world series, unless he and Jane become their angels in the outfield! Please attend the reception to make a toast or tell a story about our dad.