Gordon Sandel

Gordon D. Sandel, 80, of Elk Rapids, formerly St. Louis, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2013 in Elk Rapids from complications of injuries incurred at his St. Louis home 18 months ago. A lifelong resident of Gratiot County, Gordon was born September 26, 1932 in Coe Township, Isabella County, the son of Dean and Doris (Thompson) Sandel. He was raised in Elwell, and was a 1950 graduate of Alma High School. He served in Korea with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. On August 6, 1955, he married Jacquelyn "Jackie" Ellsworth, who survives. He was employed at the Midwest Oil Refinery in Alma, and after it's closing, the Leonard Refinery in Alma, later known as the Total Refinery, retiring in 1995 after 38 years of employment. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed deer and small game hunting, especially pheasant hunting, fishing, crossword puzzles, a good game of euchre, and was an avid Tiger and Red Wings fan. He was a life member of the Alma VFW Post #1454 and the Elk Rapids Amvets Post #114, and the NRA. Surviving are his wife, Jackie, three sons, Scott(Eileen) Sandel of Cheboygan, Mark(Anita) Sandel of Elwell, and Lance Sandel of Alma, three grandchildren, Charlie, Colin, and Emiliee Sandel, two sisters, Patricia "Pat" (Clayton) Parker of Burnips, and Barbara "Bobbie" (Harold) Clarke of Haslett, two special cousins, Jack and Pete Sandel of Elwell, a lifelong friend and fellow marine, Jim Cagala of Alma, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Betty Scramlin, and Vicki Sandel. A private graveside committal service will be held at the Seville Township Cemetery in Gratiot County, Michigan. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 1:00pm at the Alma VFW Post 1454 in Alma, Michigan Memorials may be made to the Elk Rapids Amvets Post #114 Veteran's Fund, or the Cowell Cancer Fund, c/o Munson Hospital, Traverse City. The Mortensen Funeral Home of Central Lake assisted the family with the arrangements.