Feb. 17, 1927 – Jan. 13, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — Services for Lewie Frederick Sandel Sr., 90, of Philadelphia and formerly of Natchez, who died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Philadelphia, will be 11 a.m. today at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Lewie was born Feb. 17, 1927, at 708 Maple St., in Natchez. He was the son of Henry Adrian
and Ruth Doherty Sandel.

He was a graduate of St Joseph High School in Natchez and was a faithful member of Assumption Catholic Church. In August of 1943, at 16 years old and completing the 10th grade, joined the U.S. Marines to fight for his country and was attached to ‘A’ Company, 3rd Tank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He fought in the Pacific Southwest in Guam, Iwo Jima and Marianas Islands. After returning home after the war, he went back to high school and graduated May 25, 1947. Then, on May 27th, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty “Mamie” Lanehart in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Initially, Lewie was employed with the Natchez Coca Cola Bottling Company for three years, Bluff City Distributors for 11 years then 26 years at Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company. He stayed with Fidelity Rubber Company for an
additional three years.

Lewie was a dedicated father and loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and used this venue to make many friends and life time memories. He especially loved to ride a horse while hunting deer and throughout his years was a member of the following hunting clubs: Yucatan, Ashland, Glasscock, Butler’s Lake, Moss Grove and Cypress Grove. His most valued honor was being awarded a V.I.P. lifetime membership at Cypress Grove Hunting Club.

Lewie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 55 years, Betty ‘Mamie’ Sandel; his parents, Henry Adrian and Ruth Doherty Sandel; two brothers, William Lloyd Sandel and his best friend and hunting partner, Henry Adrian “Sonny” Sandel; and two sisters, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Smith and Ruth Audrey “Lulu” Wilson.

Survivors include one daughter, Marie Sandel McCall and husband, Gary, of Natchez; five sons, Lewie F. “Freddie” Sandel Jr. and wife, Pam, and Alex Sandel and wife, Pam, all of Natchez, Pat Sandel and wife, Carolyn, of Deridder, La., Gerry Sandel and wife, Kathy, of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Jimmy Sandel and wife, Dona, of Wilmington, N.C.; 15 grandchildren, Jennifer Simonton and husband, Matt, of Monroe, La., CSM Patrick Sandel and wife, Larissa, of Pineville, La., Vanessa Peterman and husband, Mark, of Baton Rouge, Andy Sandel and wife, Catherine, of Houston, Lewie Sandel III and wife, Lari, of Madison, Kerri Frantz and husband, John, of Monroe, La., Lee McCall and wife, Ashley, of Philadelphia, Rudy Sandel and wife, Caroline, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jay Sandel of Seattle, Wash., Matthew Sandel and wife, Anna, of Gulfport, Jim Sandel of Wilmington, Sarah Middleton and husband, Hunter, of Brandon, Ryan Sandel and wife, Jessica, of Washington, D.C., Kevin Sandel of Oconomowoc and Amy Ester and husband, Chris, of Etna, Calif.; 26 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Freda Stallone of Ocean Springs; one brother, Walter Sandel of Natchez; and a large number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, CSM Patrick Sandel, Andy Sandel, Lewie Sandel III, Lee McCall, Rudy Sandel, Jay Sandel, Matthew Sandel, Jim Sandel, Ryan Sandel and Kevin Sandel.

The family thanks Magnolia Terrace of Natchez, Neshoba County Nursing Home and Quality
Hospice Care of Philadelphia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cathedral School, Assumption Catholic Church or Holy Cross Catholic Church of Philadelphia or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.