Madeline (Wadlinger) Bader

Madeline (Wadlinger) Bader, age 86, resident of DeLand, Florida, passed away on March 2, 2026. She was born on September 1, 1939, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, to Gerald Wadlinger and Madaline Golden Wadlinger.

Madeline spent her childhood in small towns throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and became accustomed to moving every few years. She loved school as a young girl, but before she could graduate high school, it became necessary for her to leave and find work to help her parents raise their seven children. Though her early years were not easy, she remained devoted to her family and made sure her two younger sisters were able to finish high school. She stayed close with all of her brothers and sisters throughout their lives and was a beloved godmother to many of her nieces and nephews.

While living in Philadelphia, Madeline met and married her only husband, Jack. They eventually settled in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, where they raised their family in the close-knit Drexelwood neighborhood. After her children were grown, she moved to Bensalem, PA, then Fountain Inn, SC, eventually following her daughters to Florida, where she lived in Dania Beach, Pensacola, and finally DeLand.

Madeline was a traditional homemaker for ten years before beginning her career in the printing industry at Schneider Litho Printing in Bristol, Pennsylvania. She worked there for many years and later continued her career with International Paper Company in Northeast Philadelphia, where she remained until her retirement.

Family was always at the center of Madeline’s life. When she lived in Bucks County, she frequently opened her home to family members and friends who needed a place to stay during difficult times. She enjoyed hosting holiday picnics and pool parties, and playing Scrabble and cards with the neighborhood ladies. Sundays were reserved for church and visiting her mother, where her brothers, sisters, and their children would gather together.

After her daughters married and began families of their own, Madeline took turns living near each of them over the years so she could remain close to her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. She was their loudest and proudest cheerleader at every activity, sometimes even cheering for the wrong team or without fully understanding the game, but always with enthusiasm and love. She was especially blessed to meet her first great-grandchild, Annaliese, and recently learned a second great-granddaughter was on the way. 

Raised in the Catholic faith, Madeline was a member of St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Fairless Hills for over 20 years, and her daughters attended the parish school. Even as she moved between Pennsylvania and Florida, she attended Catholic Masses and enjoyed participating in any Christian service, happily singing along even when she did not know all the words.

Madeline is survived by her daughters, Renea Clowdsley (Joseph) and Jacqueline Drescher (Neal); her grandchildren, Casey Kuktelionis, Kevin Kuktelionis, Coralie Clowdsley, Tyler Drescher, Matthew Drescher (Ashley), Katherine Drescher, and Kelly Drescher; and her great-granddaughter, Annaliese Drescher.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Jean Ferguson, Camille Daley, Ann Thompson, Jerry Wadlinger, Teddy Wadlinger, John Wadlinger, and Mary Wadlinger.

Madeline’s life was defined by faith and love for her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

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