Edward Sendelbach

Edward C Sendelbach, age 88, of Joliet Illinois passed away on Wednesday December 20, 2017 He was born on March 21, 1929 to Ed and Claire (Reuter) Sendelbach in Waumandee Wisconsin. Edward attended St. Boniface School in Waumandee and graduated from Arcadia High School in 1947. While still on the farm Edward earned his pilots licenses in Winona Minnesota. He graduated from Spartan School of Aviation in Tulsa Oklahoma and was hired by Northwest Airlines as an airplane mechanic in Chicago. In 1952 Edward was drafted into the U.S. Army, due to his experience at NWA he was immediately promoted to Sergeant; made an Aviation Inspector and had 50 mechanics under his command. In 1953, he left Seattle Washington for Ascom City (Inchon) via the USS Gordon. He served in Korea until August 1954, and then he returned home to Waumandee. Edward was hired by Trans World Airlines as flight engineer in 1955 and began his long and accomplished career as an aviator. Also that same year he married Marie Pehler; they moved to Joliet Illinois and started their family. Edward’s adventurous spirit and love of flying was always evident. His career at TWA allowed for First Officer and Captain advancements serving during the “Golden Age of the Airlines”. Flying pistons to jet to wide body aircraft, Edward had the opportunity to travel to six continents. He was the Captain of many aircraft in the TWA fleet. Near the end of his career he was based out of the Mediterranean; living in Rome and Athens with Marie where they shared many memorable experiences and adventures. He retired from TWA in March of 1989 but continued to travel the world as well as spending many days in the Waumandee area. Edward enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his beloved dog Zeke. Edward is survived by his three children, son Edward J (Suzanne Kroscher) Sendelbach, daughter Rosemary (Mark) Loomis, daughter Carol (Robert) Snyder, six grandchildren, Kimberly and Scott Sendelbach, Eric and Katherine Loomis, Nicholas and Benjamin Snyder, sister Magdeline (Joe) Jameson, sister Eunice Haines and dear friend Ramona English along numerous nieces and nephews Edward was greeted in heaven by his loving wife Marie, parents Ed and Claire and brother, William. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday December 29th 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waumandee. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour the mass all at the church.