Shortly after the Civil War, Mr. Earler opened a funeral parlor in Port Byron, IL, and Earler's son-in-law, August H. Wendt, took over the business from 1881 to 1920. At that time, Earl and Robert, the sons of August Wendt, ran the business until 1945. The current location of Wendt Funeral Home, a large Queen Anne Victorian house built in Moline in 1902, was purchased by Earl and Robert Wendt in 1929.
Earl Wendt II handled the business with his brother, Richard, from 1945 until Earl's death in 1967. Earl “Buck” Wendt III, along with his uncle Rich and brothers, ran the home until Richard's retirement in 1985 at which time he then acquired ownership and operated Wendt Brothers Funeral Home/Wendt Funeral Home. In 1977, Earl’s son, Earl Wendt IV joined him as an apprentice in the funeral home and then became a licensed Funeral Director in 1983 after graduating from Worsham School of Mortuary. Upon the death of Earl 'Buck' Wendt III, Wendt Funeral Home is now owned and operated by his son, Earl Wendt IV; the sixth generation of the family business.
Today, Wendt Funeral Home is the longest standing, family owned, funeral homes in IL, and the fifth in the country. Wendt Funeral Home continues to be “just the right size” funeral home to provide high quality, personalized service to the families in our community.
