Calvin "Mark" Sandel

Calvin Martwain “Mark” Sandel, 93, of Ragley, LA, died at 4:25 AM on Sunday, December 8, 2019 in his residence.

Mark was born April 6, 1926 in Noble, LA and was a graduate of Florien High School.  He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Marine Corp at Okinawa and was a Purple Heart recipient.  After his honorable discharge from the Military he attended Northwestern University, where he met the love of his life, Billie.  They married and moved to Westlake, LA, where he began his career at Citcon, retiring as a shift supervisor after thirty-eight years of service.  He has lived in Ragley, LA for the past thirty-six years.  Mark was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Westlake, where he was very active with the youth, taught Sunday School and was a Deacon and Gideon.  Later, he served as a deacon at Magnolia Baptist Church in Ragley. More recently, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Moss Bluff.  Mark had a love of hunting, fishing and gardening, which he did up until his final years.  He also enjoyed playing the harmonica and listening to Blue Grass music, but his true passion was for the Lord.  He loved sharing Jesus with those he met and always had a smile and a witty word that sparked joy in all around him. 

Mr. Sandel is survived by his wife of seventy-two years, Billie Sandel of Ragley; daughter, Markie Sandel Casebier and husband Lee of Marble Falls, TX; granddaughter, Courtney Casebier of Bandera, TX; sister, Clothilde Hebert of Hornbeck, LA; sister-in-law, Gail Nettles and husband Dwain of Baton Rouge, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Zelma Sandel; and sisters, Carolyn Knippers and Jo Ella Chandler.

A remembrance of Mark’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff.  Brother Mike Sanford will officiate.  Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley, LA.  Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and continue on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Dr. Adrienne Breaux, Dr Richard Gilmore, Ralph Hayes, APRN and Heart of Hospice for the excellent care given.