Wendell McMahan, age 79 of Leesburg, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, with his wife, Sharon by his side.  He had been in declining health over the last several years.

Born and raised in Newport, Tennessee to the late Anderson and Echo (Ford) McMahan, Wendell attended Edgemont School and graduated from Cocke County High School, Class of 1963.

Wendell then went on to courageously serve his country in the United States Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne as a 1st Cavalry Paratrooper.  During his valiant service to our nation, he performed over three hundred parachute jumps at the height of the Vietnam War.  While he was a decorated Army hero and extremely proud of his service, Wendell chose to mostly stay quiet about his wartime service.

Upon his return from his military service to our country, Wendell returned to Newport, where he worked several different jobs.  He went to Millville to visit his brother and decided to relocate from Tennessee, first to Millville, then Cedarville, finally settling in Leesburg.  He worked for over 25 years as a packer and in the hot end at Wheaton Glass Company in Millville.

Wendell met and married Sharon, and together they shared nearly 46 years of marriage.  They truly enjoyed living their lives together and loved working on their family farm in Leesburg. Some of their favorite pastimes together over the years included riding horses, fishing in Fortescue, many trips to Lancaster, and going out to eat.  Wendell also enjoyed operating his own successful honey business. He was so fearless of honeybees; he was well known for having the ability to remove unwanted swarms of bees from peoples' houses on many occasions.  He also raised quite a garden every summer and loved giving out his produce to friends and family.  Wendell was an animal lover and raised beagles, ducks, chickens, goats, pigeons, and many other animals.

Wendell loved the Lord, and was a longtime member of Fairton Christian Center, where he enjoyed attending with Sharon whenever he was able.

Wendell will be sadly missed by his loving wife Sharon (Wilson) McMahan of Leesburg; his two daughters, Wendy Carol Smith of Newport, TN and Julie Dunn of TN; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gordon McMahan and Don McMahan, both of TN; and two sisters, Barabara Ann McMahan and Mary Frances Johnson, both of TN.  He was predeceased by two brothers, Chandler McMahan and James Robert McMahan; and one sister Betty James.

A funeral service celebrating Wendell's life will be conducted on Friday April 21, 2023, at 11 AM in the Fairton Christian Center, 199 Fairton Road, Fairton, NJ.  Family and friends will be received from 10 AM to 11 AM at the church.  Burial will follow in the Cumberland County Veteran's Cemetery. Donations may be made to the family for expenses.