Wendell Merrill Kathan
February 7, 1944 – May 17, 2024
Wendell M. Kathan, 80, of Warren, passed away on Friday, May, 2024, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Born on February 7, 1944, in Montpelier, he was the son of the late Merrill and Mildred (Brooks) Kathan. He was previously married to Donna Demas (1963 to 1982) and AnnMarie Nichols (1987 to 2014). In 2014 he decided to up and move to Massachusetts to be with his high school sweetheart, May Hnath. During this time he became ill. May took care of him until the end when he decided he wanted to be back home in Vermont to spend his last months with son, Chris and daughter-in-law Stefanie. He enjoyed his last days riding his side-by-side on the Kathan land.
He was a 1962 graduate of Waitsfield High School. As a young man, he worked excavation for the late Lenord Robinson in Warren and with his brother-in-law Donny Demas building houses. He was later self-employed as a carpenter/general contractor, he retired from his last job as clerk of the works for the state of Vermont. He was a gifted woodworker involving all different types of carpentry. In his later years his hobby was turning wooden bowls and making pens.
Wendell was a 50-year member of the Mad River Masonic Lodge #77 of Waitsfield. He loved all kinds of animals. He raised every farm animal imaginable. He enjoyed everything from pigeon racing to draft horses.
He is survived by his 30-plus year old talking African grey parrot, Willey. His children, Lisa Kathan-White and her husband, Tony of Temple, TX, Christopher Kathan and his wife, Stefanie of Warren, Mitchell Kathan and his wife, Megan of Lunenburg; a brother Francis Kathan of Warren, his sister Reta Goss, and her husband John of Warren; a stepdaughter Kristina Swinchoski, and her husband, Bob of Williamstown; 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is predeceased by a brother Wayne Kathan and a stepdaughter Kathy Brooks.
A graveside service will be held from the Warren Village Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673 or visit www.mrvas.org . To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com .
