POUGHKEEPSIE - Madeline Janet Wardell, 88, a lifelong area resident, died on Saturday, October 28, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie. Madeline was a sales clerk at the former Merits Department Store in Poughkeepsie. She attended both St. James' Episcopal Church and the Hyde Park United Methodist Church. Madeline was an 18 year volunteer with the Hyde Park Food Pantry and Hyde Park Meals on Wheels, and an avid bowler. Mrs. Wardell enjoyed doing arts and crafts and crocheting, and won various awards at the Dutchess County Fair. Born in Staatsburg on July 24, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Lewis and Myrtle Ackert Griffen. She attended Staatsburg Schools. On May 1, 1949 in Poughkeepsie, she married Clarence J. Wardell Jr. He predeceased her on March 28, 1981. Survivors include three sons, John C. Wardell and his wife, Mary, of Hyde Park, Robert L. Wardell of Poughkeepsie, and his fianc, Jacqueline C. Bliss of Key West, FL, and David A.Wardell and his wife, Christina, of Rhinebeck; seven grandchildren; several great grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Fitzpatrick of Poughkeepsie, Joan Bonesteel of Mt. Marion, and Janet Minkler of Germantown; several nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law, Helen Driscoll of Poughkeepsie, and Dorothy Griffen of Rhinebeck; and cousins, Georgiana Utter of Staatsburg, and Millie Hite of Hyde Park. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by three brothers, Harold, Bill, and Jack Griffen. Calling hours will be from 7 9 Pm, Wed., Nov. 1st , at Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Funeral services will be at 11 am, Thurs., Nov. 2nd ,at St. James' Episcopal Church, Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Fr. Chuck Kramer will officiate. Burial will follow in the family plot in Union Cemetery of Hyde Park. Memorial donations may be made to the Fairview Fire Company, 258 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com