Funeral services for A. W. Rendleman, age 92, of Brownwood, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, at Netherton Funeral Home with Reverend John Clifford officiating. Interment will follow at the Zephyr Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. He passed away November 12, at Brownwood Regional Medical Center
Aurel W. Rendleman was born June 7, 1918 on the family farm in Jonesboro, Illinois, where he grew up, the son of Arthur and Alma Rendleman. He attended Jonesboro school through the eighth grade, attended Anna/Jonesboro High School. He enrolled in the University of Illinois at Urbane studying geology. He won scholarships in scholastic and sport activities. After three years he quit and bought a neighborhood barbecue restaurant and bar, which he ran until he went into the U.S. Army. He sold his restaurant to his sister, Louise.
He enlisted in the Army June 7, 1942 at the age of 24 in Chicago, was sent to Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas training as a Medic. From Camp Robinson, he was transferred to Camp Bowie, Brownwood, Texas in the 10th Field Hospital for four months and was sent to Officer Candidate School in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. He graduated April 14, 1943 as an engineer officer. From OCS, he was sent to 322nd Combat Engineers, 97th Infantry Division, Camp Swift, Austin, Texas.
One night while he was in the officers’ club, a young school teacher, who graduated from Howard Payne College and was teaching in Austin walked into the club. It was apparent love at first sight. Her name was Lucille Locks, of Zephyr, Texas. They were married June 24, 1945.
A.W. lived a lifetime the three months of the European Campaign where he was Combat Engineer assigned to the 3rd class Czechoslovakia. He was wounded and nine support personnel killed; was taken prisoner by the Germans and rescued by the Russians 64 days later. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, Elks Lodge – he was the longest living member of the Rocky Mountain Elks Foundation, Military Officers of Army of America, Mason, Shrine, Scottish and York Rights, and also a rifleman. He was a member of Modern Woodman for 50 years. A.W. worked with children who were placed in difficult situations all his life and was responsible for starting the Latch Key program in Brownwood. He was a member of Oteen Children’s Home for 18 years and served as president for eight years.
He served on many church boards. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Zephyr.
A.W. is survived by his wife, Lucille Rendleman, of Brownwood; son, Ernest Arthur Rendleman and wife, Cindy of Trophy Club, Texas; adopted son Lee Worster and wife, Julie of Smithville, Missouri; granddaughter, Robin Dawn Strong and husband, Kenneth of Dallas; nephew, Bob and Hope Rendleman of Washington; special family members, Papa Jack and Ruth Henshall of Lubbock, Jack Henshall of Arkansas, and many friends in Brownwood and Zephyr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Louise Rendleman Favors and husband, Luther and brother, Harold Rendleman and wife, Naoma.
Friends and relatives may sign his online guest book at nethertonfuneralhome.com.
