"It is hard to believe we saw you only two weeks ago and talked. You were so humble and seem to be in good Spirit. I guess when Jesus says come home, we go. You will be missed sitting upstairs, I saw you every week you were there. May the family be held up by the same God you were. He will be there with them as they go through this tough time of loss. Kateri Burnett"
In loving memory of
James Alan Mendenhall
February 21, 1954 - July 16, 2022
James "Alan" Mendenhall, 68, passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne due to complications from surgery. Alan was born on February 21, 1954, in Marion, to the late Jim and Margaret Mendenhall. He grew up in Fort Wayne, was an Eagle Boy Scout, and was in the first class that graduated as Homestead High School in 1972. On December 3, 1983, he married Sandra Reynolds. Alan worked a number of jobs - from bagging groceries as a teen, to working at Berning Trailer Sales, to finally ending up at AEP, where he started his career. He worked there from February of 1980 and retired in July of 2016. Alan loved being retired. Retirement allowed him to finish some projects he had been working on and gave him time to relax at home. It also gave him the freedom to spend more time with his family. Alan never knew a stranger. He would go out of his way to help anyone. He was the most selfless man. He would give you his last dime. He often helped people with projects without expecting anything in return. He was a strong Christian man with the biggest heart. He had a very special bond with both of his granddaughters. Whether it was an ear to vent to, or fixing ATV's, he could never tell them no. Alan also loved spending time in the woods, and he would often talk about building a house in the southern meadow of the woods. He loved nature and sitting watching the birds and other wildlife.
Alan is survived by his wife, Sandy; children, Amanda (Chris) Poe, Tim Mendenhall, and Vanessa Mendenhall; granddaughters, Kaylee Poe and Hadlea Mendenhall; and brother, Dave (Janice) Mendenhall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Margaret.
Arrangements for Alan have been entrusted to the College Park Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A visitation has been set for Thursday, July 21, 2022, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Mount Olive United Methodist Church, 2015 County Road 300 West, Marion, Indiana 46952. A funeral service will follow with Pastor Doug Barton officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mount Olive United Methodist Church. Online memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.
Tributes
"Dear Sandy and family, When we met you, Alan and family was over to a home town cafe. Then we found out you were members of our own church Mt Olive Methodist we always talked to him no matter where we saw him. Always smiling and telling a little joke. We felt very sad to know he was not in good health. Then we would remember him in our prayers. We will miss seeing him, "Around" May God Bless you and family. Norma and Harold."