MAYVILLE — Just in time for Memorial Day ceremonies, the Mayville street Mill Place will change to Michael Wendling Way as a memorial for the fallen soldier from Mayville. Earlier this month a public hearing was held and the city council voted unanimously to change the street name.

"I'm happy to see this happening," Aleana Strook, Wendling's fiancé, said. "It's for a great reason. I'm proud of what he's done for us."

Wendling died Sept. 26, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations in Shaibah, Iraq. He was a graduate of the class of 2003 at Mayville High School and attended classes at both UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee before his unit was called to active duty. He was a member of the Fond du Lac-based Charlie Company of the Wisconsin National Guard's second battalion, 127th infantry regiment.

"This is honoring the memory of one of our own who paid that price," Mayor Tracy Heron said. "I think Mayville has fallen behind a little bit. In other communities I see more recognition, better monuments that are very fitting. I think we have some catching up to do. This is a great step forward in honoring Michael and all soldiers."

The chosen street is next to the Mayville American Legion, Post 69. It is a one-block street that starts at the intersection of Horicon and Main streets and ends at a parking lot.

"I've seen it done in other cities," Aleana Strook said. "It's a good way to honor him in our city where he walked down the streets and marched in the parades. It seemed appropriate at the corner of the Legion."

In 2006 Aleana Strook arranged a memorial golf tournament in Wendling's memory. The Michael Wendling Memorial golf Classic raised money to support wounded soldiers returning from the Middle East, phone cards for active soldiers to call home, scholarships in his name and a memorial for all soldiers in Mayville.

Over $34,000 was raised the three summers of the golf tournament. A tournament has not been planned for this summer. A portion of those funds were used to purchase the new street sign.

"I don't think a street name change is something we want to do lightly, and I don't think this has been done lightly," Heron said.

The street name project started by the Strook and Wendling families talking with Heron who referred the idea to various committees of the city council. The families talked more with the American Leagion and were fully supported by the organization.

Cheryl Strook, Aleana's mother, said Dick Arndt was an advocator for the project. Arndt was the commander of the American Legion during the memorial golf outing fundraisers for Wendling and is now the chairperson for the house committee of the American Legion Post 69.

"It's unfortunate that we lose any service men or women in a war, but we are doing this for Michael because of the foundation that was created that has raised money for scholarships in his name for the last three years, money that was raised for the war memorial that we will be putting up and money that was raised for the phone cards so the service men could call home," Arndt said. "I think it's a great thing for the city."

Arndt said the sign will be installed later this week and the Memorial Day ceremony will take place near it. He said the sign is a little larger than expected because of the length of the name and it will need reinforcement.

"It's hard to get a street name changed," Arndt said. "To me it's closure for the family. As a post member, along with our whole post, we're honored to help a fellow vet like this."

dharris@capitalnewspapers.com