Charlotte M. Bennett Wendling, age 92, of Venice, passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Sterling House in Maryville, Tenn.

She was born in Zion, Ill., Jan. 22, 1920. Charlotte loved and inspired her children and grandchildren with her Christian and unconditionally loving and vibrant spirit. She loved people and never knew a stranger. She was the personnel director for Statistical Tabulating in Springfield, Ill., before retiring to Venice and becoming a Realtor for 25 years, then “chaplain” for an independent nursing home. She loved her husband, Ernest, for 53 years. He passed away in 1991. She was also preceded in death by three of her sisters, Katherine, Ruth and Phyllis. She is survived by her youngest sister, Doris Wedekind, of Zion, Ill. Her other survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Joan Wendling of Palatka, Fla., and Larry and Betty Wendling of Gillette, Wy.; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and David Palmer of Springfield, Ill., and Pat and Ron Scott of Maryville, Tenn.; her beloved grandchildren, Wendy Hill and Steve Cira, California, Keri and Ken VanZee, Iowa, Doug and Julie Hill, Illinois, David and Karrie K. Wendling, Minnesota, Kristen and Eric Cruse, Georgia, Lindsay Scott, Tennessee and Nick and Arkay Adkisson, Missouri.

Charlotte was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and their children.

Special thanks to her special friends at Venetian Gardens, Sterling House, Amedysis Home Health and Avalon Hospice.

Services: The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at Ewing Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Lakeside Lutheran Church, 2401 South Tamiami Trail, Venice. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Gulf Pines Memorial Park, 2401 Englewood Road, Englewood.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeside Lutheran Church in memory of Charlotte.