Delbert "Cotton" Wehrle

Delbert L. "Cotton" Wehrle, 90, of Vandalia, passed away at 1:26am, Thursday, May 14, 2015 at his home in Vandalia. Services for Cotton will be held at 10:00am, Monday, May 18, 2015 at Family Worship Center, Vandalia with Pastor Tracy Zimmerman and Pastor Kenneth Wehrle officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm, Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Family Worship Center, Vandalia and 1 hour prior to services at the church Monday. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia withMilitary Rites accorded at graveside by Crawford-Hale American Legion Post # 95, Vandalia, IL and Brownstown VFW Post #9770. Memorials may be made to the Family Worship Center. Cotton was born July 30, 1924 in Hanson, IL, the son of Jesse J.R. and Pearl (Smith) Wehrle. He enlisted in the US Navy on May 14, 1943, where he proudly served his country during WWII. After his separation from the Navy he married Arvilla (Hopkins) Wehrle on May 14, 1946 in Kentucky, and together they started their family. Arvilla passed away on November 14, 1974. Cotton married Judy (Hawthorne) Wehrle February 9, 1987 in Magnolia, TX. Cotton was a true entrepreneur, he was a self employed farmer, he ran a lumber and logging business, salvage business, operated a gas station and bought and sold real estate over the course of his life. He was a member of the Family Worship Center in Vandalia, served on the Board of Directors at Family Worship Center, and a member of Vandalia American Legion Post #95. Cotton was most proud of his family and his time in the military and in September of 2014 he was a guest on an Honor Flight trip to Washington DC. He is survived by his wife Judy Wehrle of Vandalia; sons John Wehrle and wife Gayle of Vandalia, Steve Wehrle and wife Karen of Magnolia, TX, and Mike Wehrle and wife JoEllen of Vandalia; daughters Kay Jones of Highland, Debby and husband Joe Sefton of Effingham, Amy and husband Tracy Zimmerman of Vandalia; step daughters Jo and husband Chuck Hutson of Vandalia and Vicki and husband Dale Choisser of Nashville, TN; brother Kenneth Wehrle and wife Jean of Altoona, PA; sisters Elsie Wehrle of Vandalia and Marie Laisure of Junction City, OR; 23 Grandchildren, 4 Step Grandchildren, 47 Great Grandchildren, 2 Step Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Arvilla Wehrle; brothers Melvin, Robert, and Harold Wehrle; sisters Jo Sharp and Ruby Schaub.

Delbert "Cotton" Wehrle

June 30, 1924 - May 14, 2015