85-Year-Old Widower Working as Janitor to Raise 2 Adopted Grandsons Receives $75,000 After Chance Meeting

An older man from Lexington, Kentucky was left heartbroken after his spouse’s tragic and sudden demise.

Regardless of his grief, he needed to work arduous to supply for his particular wants adopted grandchildren. Someday whereas working on the McDonald’s restaurant the place he was employed for 44 years, he bumped into an previous colleague, Todd Oldfield, who was deeply moved by his story and determined to assist.

Wendall and Della Gill had been collectively since they had been youngsters and had promised to remain true to one another for the remainder of their lives.

After dropping Della in August 2018 because of an aneurysm, Wendall continued to work at McDonald’s to help his adopted grandchildren, one with autism and one with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Throughout an opportunity encounter at work in September, Todd Oldfield discovered about Wendall’s predicament and was devastated by his good friend’s loss.

He determined to create a crowdfunding web page to help Wendall, which raised over $75,000 to assist him repay his money owed and purchase a gravestone for his beloved spouse.

Sadly, what he then discovered shattered his coronary heart into 1,000,000 items. His beloved spouse of 63 years had handed out within the washroom after struggling an aneurysm. Della, 83, was instantly taken to the hospital, the place she took her final breath solely days later, leaving Wendall endlessly damaged.

Todd organized an “Appreciation Occasion” to have a good time Wendall’s arduous work and make him really feel valued and cherished.

A Likelihood Assembly with an Previous Pal

The occasion was a terrific success, touching Wendall’s coronary heart and uplifting his spirits. The fundraiser acquired virtually 2,000 donations, elevating $115,520 earlier than closing.

Serving to His Misplaced & Devastated Pal

Regardless of his grief and trauma, Wendall continued to work at McDonald’s each day, cleansing the restroom the place his spouse had handed away. With Todd’s assist, he was in a position to repay his money owed and purchase a gravestone for his spouse, and at last, get pleasure from his espresso in peace.