Ronald Louis Mandel, 86, of Evansville, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2019, in Evansville. He suffered from dementia. He was born March 1, 1933, in Evansville to the late Florian and Helen (Fischer) Mandel. He attended Trinity Lutheran Grade School, Central High School Class of 1951 (where he played on the tennis team), Wittenberg College of Ohio and Evansville College. December 31, 1956, he married Patricia Ann Reid. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this year.
He served in the United States Marine Corps and with the 3rd Marine Division, 7th Engineering Battalion from 1951-1954 during the Korean War, and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA.
He played on a baseball team while in the Marine Corp and was nicknamed “Mick Mandelâ€. Ron retired from Whirlpool as a steel buyer in 1988 after 31 years. He then formed his own corporation, Venture Enterprises, developing six patents for industrial packing. He then worked for SPECTRA CARE, a home infusion agency.
He was a long-time member of Northside Congregational Church, serving for a time as Head Usher. He also served on the church council at Christ Lutheran Church. He volunteered for many of the social events. He last attended Old North Methodist Church. Ron coached Rural Junior League baseball at Highland Grade School for several years in the 1960s. He was a 50 plus year member of the Purple Aces Club of UE, holding season tickets for 54 years. He rarely missed a game when the Aces played at Roberts Stadium.
In fact, he traveled with his wife to many out of state games, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. He was also a great fan of IU basketball and football, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Ron enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing, making several trips to Florida for bass fishing in many lakes and rivers.
He also spends time fishing with his wife’s cousin in Alton, IL. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. He was always willing to help his neighbors and friends when they needed him.
He was preceded in death by brother-in-law and sister, Floyd and Virginia Hartlein; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Ann Mandel, and his beloved dog, Lacie. Ron is survived by sons, Mark David Mandel and Jon Bryan Mandel (Lori); grandchildren, Emily Walker and Evan and Reid Mandel; nieces, nephews and their children, Michelle Hartlein, Bob Hartlein (Gail and Ethan), Greg Hartlein (Noah, Allie and Tiffany), Lori Kappell, Lana Mandel, Brett Mandel and Mark A. Mandel, Jerry’s first wife, Barbara, and two cousins, Mary Buschman and Nancy Sargent.
Friends may visit from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, Sunday, August 18, 2019, at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Rd. Private entombment will take place at a later date in Alexander Memorial Park, Mausoleum 7.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Vanderburgh Humane Society. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
