Phillip Wendell Kizzee was born April 5, 1934 in Ironton, Ohio, to Andrew Jackson Kizzee and Fannie Saunders.  He graduated from Ironton High School in 1953, Olivet Nazarene College in 1956, and Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1959.  Wendell was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1960.  The Doctor of Divinity Degree was conferred on him by Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2000.

Wendell married his childhood sweetheart, Vivian (Bates) in 1955.  Vivian's first memory is of him when they were four and five, respectively.  They were married at the ages of 19 and 21. After seminary, they faithfully served in ministry together.  They planted the Reynoldsburg Church of the Nazarene before moving to Cleveland and pastoring the Lakewood Church of the Nazarene, relocating it to Westlake, where it became Parkside Church of the Nazarene.  He pastored the Parkside congregation for 39 years.  He served as treasurer for the North Central Ohio District Church of the Nazarene for over 40 years. After retiring from the pastorate, he served in various roles for the North Central Ohio District.  While working for the District their greatest joy was to visit churches and encourage pastors, many of whom they counted as dearest friends.  Wendell considered it a privilege to serve for 37 years as a Trustee at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Wendell and Vivian have three children:  Kathy (Mike) Pelley, Phil (Brenda) Kizzee, and Joy (Alan) De Vries.  They have six grandchildren: Andy (Susan) Kizzee (children Marion, Spoorthi, Dean & Drexel), Austin (Elizabeth) Kizzee (children Carter, Riley, and Colton), Joanna Pelley, Grace, Pelley, Ruby Pelley, and Rochelle De Vries.

Wendell is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Richard & Kathleen.

A private family burial is planned.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Wooster Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 am.  (3100 Oak Hill Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691).  There will also be a service of celebration and remembrance on Sunday morning, August 30, at Parkside Church of the Nazarene (23600 Hilliard Boulevard, Westlake, Ohio 44145) at 10:00 am.  Parkside will stream the service on Facebook and YouTube.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Parkside Church of the Nazarene, (23600 Hilliard Boulevard, Westlake, Ohio 44145) or the Wendell Kizzee Scholarship Fund at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050).