Michael Pandel – Youngstown, Ohio, formerly of McKeesport
Retired Air Force Major, Michael Pandel, 90, of Youngstown, Ohio, formerly of McKeesport, died on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. He was born in McKeesport, on May 15, 1932 and is the son of the late Sam (a U.S. Army World War I veteran) and Theodora Skarpenzou Pandel. He was a 1950 graduate of McKeesport High School and was a 1954 graduate of Penn State University, where he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. He served in the Vietnam War with the Seventh Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon with recurring duty at Phan Rang, Cam Ranh Bay, Phu Cat, Da Nang, Binh Thuy, Pleiku, Bien Hoa and Nha Trang Air Bases. He was also stationed in the Republic of Vietnam in 1971 through 1972. His other assignments included duty at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., with Air University in Orlando, Fla., and Omaha, Neb., the United Kingdom at RAF East Kirkby in Lincolnshire, and RAF Upper Heyford near Oxford. He was stationed at Waco, Texas, Newark, N.J., and Anchorage, Alaska. His final duty station was Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, for nearly six years, where he retired from active duty. He was a member of the faculty at the University of Cincinnati from June 1968 to August 1971, serving as an assistant professor of air science. He was an active member of the board of directors of the University Faculty Club. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit awarded with valor, Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. His peace time awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, and three Air Force Commendation Medals. Michael is survived by his sister, Stella (the late Charles) Neuschwander of White Oak; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; and cousins. In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his siblings, Praxitelis “Ted” Pandel, Pauline Magoulakis and Katherine Kotun; niece, Katherine Pandel Speicer; nephews, Zachary Mrazik and Paul Neuschwander; and girlfriend, retired U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Erlene Stokes. Family and friends may gather at the Annunciation of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 1128 Summit St., White Oak, PA 15131, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Entombment will follow at McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131, (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177). To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com.
