Wendell Fred Fleshman
Wendell Fred Fleshman, 79 years old, of Milan, MO, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Northeast Regional Hospital in Kirksville, MO.
Wendell was born in Pollock, MO to Charlie and Mamie (Jordan) Fleshman on July 7, 1941. He married Linda Livingston on November 27, 1958.
He was a hard-working man who had a knack for business. At the age of 15, he hauled rock and helped built the dam at Pomme de Terre lake. He also worked as an iron worker before building a career in farming. He first worked as a field rep for Lancaster Livestock Market and then the Green City Livestock Market. Wendell then went on to own the Milan Livestock Auction and the Brookfield Sale Barn for 35 years. He built the Milan truck wash in the early 90’s and purchased Lake LuJuan now known as Lake Fleshman. Slowing down wasn’t in Wendell’s vocabulary. He farmed 500 acres in Milan and was known to many as the “Cow King” of Missouri and traveled all over the country buying cattle and continued to do so up until his death.
Wendell didn’t know a stranger. He was one of the kindest, most humble and caring men. He was a soft-hearted man who would do anything for anyone. His personality could fill a room. Wendell was full of life and was probably best known for sharing stories. He had a great sense of humor and was ornery as ever. He always had a joke to tell and knew how to get a smile or laugh out of anyone he was around, and how could you forget his infectious laugh.
He loved a good ribeye, playing cards and most of all his family. It started with his wife Linda. They were inseparable and enjoyed traveling together whether it was a trip to Alaska or a road trip to visit one of the grandchildren. His family looked forward to his phone calls just to check in and will miss hearing the phone ring. Anyone who knew Wendell, knew just how proud he was of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen. Wendell was more than just the patriarch of his family. He was one of a kind and will be missed by many.
Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Mamie and son, Fred.
He is survived by his wife Linda; sons Brad, and Doug (Lori), and daughter Kathy Powell; sisters Ruby (Stanton) Frazier, Charlene (Theodore) Weter, and Patsy (Dennis) Riley; grandchildren Brett (Kodi) Fleshman, Justin (Mercedes) Fuller, Heather Stufflebean, Jamie (Kyle) Horstman, Kayla Fleshman, Jerad (Kenzie) Fuller, Decotas Powell, Jessica Fleshman, Nikita Powell and Meghan Fleshman; and 9 great grandchildren.
A visitation for Wendell will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 27, 2020 at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Masks will be required.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Oakwood Cemetery in Milan with Doug Williams officiating.
Pallbearers will be Brett Fleshman, Jerad Fuller, Justin Fuller, Decotas Powell, Gavin Arnold, Lesen Fuller and Steve Swearengen.
Honorary pallbearers will be Heather Stufflebean, Jamie Horstman, Kayla Fleshman, Jessica Fleshman, Nikita Powell, Meghan Fleshman and Jacey Fuller.
