Gary Mangum, 79
Gary L. Mangum, 79, of Hamel died on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., with his family by his side.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 22 and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel. A funeral service will follow the visitation on Saturday at the church, with the with Rev. Benjamin Ball, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Hamel. Arrangements are being handled by Dauderman Mortuary in Hamel.
He was born on Aug. 27, 1935 in Bethune, S.C., to Henry and Bleeka (Joyner) Mangum. On July 14, 1957, he married Marilyn Olinda Sander. She survives in Hamel.
Mr. Mangum was raised on a farm in rural Bethune, S.C., and attended Bethune High School.
He graduated from Columbia Commercial College in Columbia, S.C.
He served two years in the Army National Guard and four years in the United States Air Force. While assigned to Scott Air Force Base, he met his future wife. He also served 1 1/2 years in Europe, mainly Greece.
He worked several months at Cassens Transport in Hamel. He worked for 30 years in accounting and budget management at Scott Air Force Base. He traveled extensively throughout the Military Airlift Command system.
After retirement, he worked for Hopcraft Electric in Glen Carbon for many years.
He enjoyed hunting with his sons and close friend, Lawrence Brase Sr.
He took pride in his garden and his beautiful yard. He enjoyed reading, playing cards and dominoes with friends and walking his beloved dog, Pete.
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, where he had served as a past trustee, elder, on the school board, and as treasurer. He was also a former member of the St. Paul Dart Ball League.
Other survivors include sons, Michael G. Mangum of Edwardsville and Mark D. (Brenda) Mangum of Staunton; a daughter, Merri G. (Richard) Meyer of Hamel; grandchildren, Angela N. Mangum of Glen Carbon, Shane R. Meyer (twin) of Edwardsville, Dillon G. Meyer (twin) of Edwardsville, Bond T. Mangum of Staunton; brothers, Melvin (Eunice) Mangum of Bethune, S.C., and Dexter (Eula) Mangum of Lancaster, S.C.; and Sisters-in-law, Norma Jean (Duane) Hartlieb of Highland and Lois M. Sander of Hamel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jerry L. Mangum, who was stillborn; sisters, Beulah Davis, Hattie Mae Payne, Inez Catoe, Irene Rae and Mamie Blackwell; brothers, Frank Mangum and Barnwell Mangum; and a brother-in-law, Marvin H. Sander, who died on Oct. 17, 2013.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 11:39 AM with the headline "Gary Mangum, 79."