Ivan Lee Wardwell

     Ivan Lee Wardwell, age 91, of Elsie, MI, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, at his daughters home.
     A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI, at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, August 1, 2025, with Pastor Mona Kindel officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
     Ivan was born in New Haven Township, Michigan on October 7, 1933, the son of Carl Ishmeal and Retha Calhoun (Forester) Wardwell. Ivan married Doris Loretta Bates on November 2, 1957, in Saginaw County, Michigan. Doris passed away on April 19, 2016.
     Ivan retired from contracting and went to work as a handyman at the Cobb Centennial Farm in Elsie for many years. Ivan looked forward to walking his dog Deli around town twice a day. He will be remembered for always putting his family first. Ivan proudly served his country in the United States Army.
     He is survived by his daughter Lesia Hebeler; his grandchildren: Jodie (David) Cottrell, and Michael (Nina) Hebeler; his brothers: Ronald (Billie) Wardwell, and William (Sue) Wardwell, his sister Anna (Jim) Bendes, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, daughter Jayne, grandson Jessie James Hebeler, sister Charlotte "Jean" Neff, and brother Larry Wardwell.
     Memorials may be made to the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, Saginaw, Michigan. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.