Michael John Vendola

Vendola, Michael J.
Appleton

Age 55, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2003 at his home following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on October 7, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Michael and Marcella (Tangredi) Vendola. He graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1969 with a Bachelors of Arts degree. On July 19, 1969 he married Kathleen Krizman in South Euclid, Ohio. He was employed by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation from 1972 until his retirement in 2001, having come to Appleton and having lived here since. Mike assisted in investigating and solving many types of crimes, but he always felt his greatest accomplishment in bringing justice to child victims and their families. Not many people could do the job Mike did. He was a member of the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators, the Wisconsin Juvenile Law Enforcement Officers Association, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and many others. Mike was on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Shaken Baby Association, and on the international Board of Directors of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Mike was widely known for teaching various law enforcement and criminal investigation topics for the Wisconsin Technical College System, other state agencies, and other seminars nationwide. Mike also authored several law enforcement articles and book chapters, and received many awards, commendations, and acknowledgments over his distinguished career. Mike volunteered and supported Special Olympics and Esperanca. Mike could often be found playing basketball at the Appleton YMCA, and was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears. Mike was a member of Saint Bernard Catholic Church, where he worshiped until Jesus called him to His banquet. Mike spent many years helping with Saint Bernard’s annual Ho-Down, and other church functions. Mike enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his only grandchild, Jackson (building a radio tower). Mike was very supportive over the years of his wife’s love of soccer (mexo), and his daughters’ various endeavors, including lessons, schooling, sports participation, music classes, and career and family choices. Mike often offered to help anyone who showed a need, acting as “Mr. Fix-it”, consistently with an imaginative sense of color coordination in his attire. Mike also spent spare time creating works of art, most recently creating his ‘color boxes’, marbling paper, and painting Christmas ornaments.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Kathy of Appleton, and they would have celebrated 34 years of marriage in July; surviving also are the joys of his life, his daughters Lara Vendola-Messer (Derek Messer) of Neenah, Gina Vendola, and Anna Vendola both of Appleton and his grandson Jackson Vendola who is carrying on the family name. Also surviving are his mother Marcella Vendola of Westchester, Illinois; two sisters and one brother Diane Vendola, Donna (Paul) Skach, and John Vendola, all of Westchester, Illinois; and his grandmother Adeline Tangredi, of Westchester, Illinois; his step grandchildren Amanda, Jennifer, Austin, and Karrah; and special pal Wolfgang. He was preceded in death by his father Michael S. Vendola, and his grandparents.
The funeral mass will be conducted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 West Pine Street with the Rev. John Bergstadt officiating. Friends may call at the Wichmann Funeral Home Tri-County Chapel on Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established; additionally, Mike’s personal request was that those attending bring a written anecdote or story about him so that his family may read and cherish them for years to come (please include signatures).
Mike touched the lives of many people and his family wishes to express their thanks to the students he taught, his co-workers, and the many, many friends, who supported them through a very difficult time. Also, a special thanks to Theda Care Hospice, and the Fox Valley Oncology Team.

You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
TRI-COUNTY CHAPEL
3212 South Oneida Street
Appleton 831-9905