Wendell R. Carman

Wendell R. Carman of Bradley, died Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2013) at his home. He was born Jan. 27, 1947, in Rosiclare, the son of Everette and Katie Rawhoof Carman. He married Linda Decker on May 1, 1965, in Joliet. Mr. Carman was a longtime successful businessman. He owned and operated The Pawn Shop in Kankakee for 33 years. He also owned and operated a number of taverns over the years beginning in 1978 with Chances R, The Artesian and Kool Hand Lukes with his best friend, Ray Dykstra. Prior to being a business owner, Wendell worked at A.O. Smith. He was a member of Oak Springs Golf Club, The National Pawn Brokers Association and The Illinois Pawnbrokers Association. Over the years, his hobbies included golfing, playing pool and riding motorcycles with his friends, vacationing in Key West, Fla., and Door County, Wis., and most of all, spending time with his two very special grandsons. Surviving are one son, Ron Carman, of Bradley; one daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Mike Blanchette, of Crescent City; two very special grandsons, Michael Blanchette and Jacob Blanchette, both of Crescent City; three sisters and three brothers-in-law, Catherine Riley, of Golconda, Ann (Bill) Robinson, of Rosiclare, Doris (Donnie) Millis, and Eugene Walker, all of Golconda; three brothers and four sisters-in-law, Jerry (Bonnie) Carman, of Kankakee, Herschel (Frances) Carman, of Waxahachie, Texas, Hubert (Charlene) Carman, of Golconda, and Betty Carman, of Waukegan; many nieces and nephews; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wayne and Carol Decker, of Bourbonnais, and Nancy and Don La Brake of Apopka, Fla.; and so many great friends. Wendell was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Gene and Virginia Rawhoff, Curt Carman, Everette Jr. and Delaine Carman; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Madeline and AB Carr, Loris Walker and Don Riley; and two nieces, Sherry and Helen. Memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the ClancyGernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. The Rev. Pat Skelly will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley or to the donor’s choice.

Wendell R. Carman

January 27, 1947 - September 11, 2013