Darrell Dean "Pete" Wendleton

Darrell “Pete” Dean Wendleton passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer on July 30, 2026. Pete was born on December 7, 1952 in Independence, Missouri to Ivan and Ida Bell (Thomas) Wendleton.

He graduated from Raytown High School in the class of 1971. He worked as an orderly at Independence Regional Health Center’s ER where he met his wife Theresa “Terri”. After their marriage he went on to get his Associate’s Degree from Penn Valley Community College School of Nursing in 1977. Pete worked for years at the Medical Center of Independence as an RN and was the Director of the ER there for 27 years. Subsequently, he went to work as an instructor for MAST. Then, he moved to the KC Fire Department as a Chief and retired in 2018.

He married Theresa “Terri” Kemmerer on May 24, 1974 in Independence. They welcomed their first son, Paul, in 1978 and their second son, Spencer, in 1982. He was a member and Elder of the Community of Christ church and most recently attended East Side Church. He enjoyed reading and gardening and taking his wife Terri out to dinner and a movie.

Pete is survived by his wife of 52 years, Terri Wendleton; sons, Paul (Denise) and Spencer (Megan); granddaughter, Delaney; brothers Gary, Eddie, and Clyde (Melodie), brother & sister-in-law, Scott & Amy and their daughter, Diane and many other loved family members.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Ida Bell; his brother, Ivan Jr.; sisters-in-law, Connie and Janie; father & mother-in-law, Bill and Zelpha Kemmerer, and brother-in-law, Michael (Sandy).

Pete will be remembered as a kind and loving man who always made everyone around him feel welcome. He will be dearly missed.

Contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.