06/02/2017
Obituary
Mr. Roland “Joe” Mendel
Joe Mendel, 59, of Ava died Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at his residence. The visitation will be 10:00 AM Saturday, June 3 in the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Ava. The funeral will be a 11:00 AM in the church with Elder Frank Potter and Reverend Darrell Roberts officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery, Ava.
Roland Joseph Mendel was born Wednesday, September 18, 1957 in Independence, MO to R.J. and Delphia (Wright) Mendel. He attended the William Chrisman High School and graduated in the class of 1976. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and became an aviation mechanic stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base AR. After two year in the service, he went back to Independence and worked at ACE Pipe Company. He met Maggie Newton in 1978 and they were married January 27, 1979 in Independence. Joe attended Longview Community College for auto mechanics. After college, he bought his own shop: Englewood Engine and Machine Shop. He became an expert on engines and built his own dirt track car. In the early 80’s he operated a dairy farm. He and Maggie moved to Douglas County. He worked in farming and owned and operated his own trucking company for twelve years. In 2005 he worked hauling gas until he retired in 2016.
Joe was a good example to all. He was an excellent advisor, big-hearted, caring, and giving and had a great sense of humor. He loved making others smile. He was outgoing, very loyal and was often strong-willed, straight forward and determined. He lived for his family and grandchildren. He also loved teaching them to hunt and fish. He had a special passion for fishing, hunting, boating, dirt track racing, and Kansas City Chiefs football. He was a member of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Church.
He is survived by his wife, Maggie of Ava; a son Danny Joe Mendel and wife, Shannon of Ava; father, R.J. Mendel of Ava; a sister Karen Burton and husband, Brian of Independence; five grandchildren, Lauren, Zachary, Blayne, Sara and Khale.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Delphia Mendel; grandparents, Edna and Cecil Wright, Virgil and Claudia Mendel.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home, Forsyth, MO.
