August 12, 1920 – November 11, 2018Rolfe L. “Junior” Wells, 98, of Dowagiac, passed away on November 11, 2018, at Woodland Terrace in Niles.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, November 16, 2018, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St. Dowagiac, with Pastor William Walters officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sumnerville Cemetery in Niles. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Junior’s name may be made to Pokagon United Methodist Church or the Old Rugged Cross Memorial Garden Foundation. Those wishing to share a condolence for the family may do so online at www.clarkch.com.
Junior was born on August 12, 1920, in Dowagiac to Rolfe and Elsie (Miller) Wells. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1938 and earned his college degree from Western Michigan University. After high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. On July 23, 1942, he married Wanda Allen in South Bend. They were married over 50 years and raised seven children. In 1960 he left a position at National Standard in Niles to follow his dream of building and running a golf course. Hampshire Country Club opened in 1961 and has been a family owned and operated business since its inception. Junior was proud to serve as the board president for Fruit Belt Electric for many years. It was a passion he shared with his father who was instrumental in bringing electricity to rural Cass County.
Junior loved both playing and watching sports. He played football for Dowagiac High School and baseball at Western Michigan University. He enjoyed golf and was an avid Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan fan. He was grateful for all those who enjoyed a round of golf at Hampshire and loved visiting and laughing with patrons who enjoyed his quick wit and affable manner. Mostly he loved his family and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rolfe and Elsie Wells; loving wife, Wanda Wells; daughter, Diane Murray and his siblings.
Junior is survived by his children, Michael (Judy) Wells of Palm City, FL, Randall Wells of Pokagon, Rolly (Karen) Wells, Jr. of Cassopolis, Steven (Lori) Wells of Niles, Tracey (John) Watson of Dowagiac, Mary Anne (Alan) Mock of Niles, 24 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.