Marion Ardell (Dell) Carmichael

Monday, March 5, 2018

Feb. 20, 1927 - March 3, 2018

INDIANOLA, Neb. — Marion Ardell (Dell) Carmichael passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at his home in Indianola. He was 91 years old.

Dell was born Feb. 20, 1927, and was the seventh and last child born to William Marion and Bessie L. (Hess) Carmichael. He was born on the farm originally homesteaded by his grandparents, James and Mary Ann (Franklin) Carmichael in Red Willow County.

He graduated from Red Willow High School in 1944 at the age of 17 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1945. He proudly served during World War II on the USS Topeka in the Pacific Theatre, taking part in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was in Tokyo, Japan, at the time of the surrender and before returning to the United States, he served on a final mission in support of United States interests in China.

Dell subsequently re-enlisted during the Korean War and served as a submariner. He was assigned to the USS Corsair in the North Atlantic on a classified mission developing and testing sonar for the Navy. He was honorably discharged after his second enlistment on Feb. 4, 1953.

Dell was united in marriage to Jane “Jean” Gorycki on May 5, 1951, in New York, N.Y. To this union a daughter, Deborah, and two sons, Dell and Hugh, were born. They made their home in New York,where Dell was employed for the Long Island Railroad until he retired in 1980. At that time they moved back to his hometown and family in Indianola.

Dell and Jean agreed their best years were spent enjoying “The Good Life” of Nebraska where they were warmly and lovingly welcomed back into their large extended family. Retirement offered Dell and Jean time to engage and actively participate in the lives of their grandsons and the joy of watching them grow into unique young men. Dell enjoyed following numerous sports but most of all, the fun of horse racing. Dell will always be remembered for his long walks with his signature cigar in hand.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Jean, in April of 2008; his parents, William and Bessie Carmichael; brothers, James (Marie) Carmichael, Hugh Carmichael, and Vern (Mary) Carmichael; and sisters, Wilma (Louis) Liess and Lela (Julius) Liess and brother-in-law, Clarence Stritt.

Survivors include his daughter, Deborah Carmichael Wooley of Ashville, N.C.; sons, Dell Patric Carmichael of New York and Hugh Martin Carmichael of Houston, Texas; three grandsons, Jason Wooley, Stephen Wooley and Thomas Carmichael; sister, Alyce Mae Stritt of McCook along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until after the rosary.

Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Greg Pawloski officiating.

Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Neb., at 2:30 p.m., with Military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorials be addressed to McCook Community Hospice. Friends may leave on-line condolences to the family at herrmannfh.com.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is entrusted with arrangements.