Fred A. Wells entered eternal rest on December 26, 2023, after a long illness. He was born on August 2, 1945, to Jeanette (Stetzel) Wells and Fred L. Wells. After graduating from Marion High School, he served two years in the U.S. Army. His career was in supermarket management, starting with A&P and retiring after 40 years with Marsh Supermarkets.
Anyone who knew Fred knew a man who was generous, caring, and kind. No one ever left his home hungry. He was always willing to help a friend or a stranger. He loved being out in his garden and planting flowers and mowing his lawn. He loved his family with all his heart.
He is survived by his four children, Melissa Asfeld, Thomas Wells, Mark (Heather) Wells, and Michelle Wells; special daughter, Lisa (Drew) Berendts; 11 grandchildren, Caiden, Kristen, Zachary, Tyler, Allie, Jacob, Lyndsay, Beth, Shelby, Mattingly, and Dalton; one great-grandchild, Sylas; sisters-in-law, Mary and Diana; niece, Stacy; nephew, Chris; and many cousins. He is also survived by his special friend, Nan Recometa, who has been a blessing to our entire family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Polly; sister, Doris; brother, Dick; and brother-in-law, Don.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Gina Traylor who helped brighten our dad’s day by helping him with his flowers and gardens, as well as making him laugh.
To the kindest man I’ll ever know. Grandpa, thank you for everything you did for our family. Thank you for raising amazing children who became amazing parents to myself, my brother, and to all of my cousins. You instilled a sense of duty and compassion into your kids which has radiated into not only their own lives but the lives of their children. We shall continue to instill those same ideals into our own children. You taught us all to be kind, forgiving, compassionate, giving, and hard-working. You would have given the shirt off of your back to save a stranger from being cold. You would feed anyone who was in need of a warm meal without a second thought or hesitation. You were one of the most kind and giving humans on this planet and the world is a little bit colder today without you in it. I will never know a kinder man as long as I live. We are all going to miss you so deeply, and the loss we are all feeling today is so palpable. I’m so proud to be one of your grandchildren. We were so fortunate to have had our lives touched by you. I hope your reunion with Grandma, Uncle Dick, and your parents was everything you’d have hoped it could be. I love you, Grandpa Fred. Give Grandma a huge hug from us.
The family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, a funeral service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held at North Chapel at 1:00 pm. Pastor Scott Miller will be officiating with burial following at Gardens of Memory in Marion.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s name to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd., SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.