Donald George "Skip" Benzel

            Donald George “Skip” Benzel, 88 of Altoona died early Wednesday morning August 7, 2019 at Van Zandt VAMC, Altoona.

            He was born April 23, 1931 in Altoona a son of the late George A. and Edith A. (Lego) Benzel. He married Carolyn A. Weber on May 9, 1954 in Reading. She preceded him in death November 17, 2003.

            Surviving are three children, son Shelby Benzel of Altoona; son David S. Benzel and his wife, Kathy of Altoona; daughter Jennifer Eckley and her husband Pete of La Mesa, CA; five grandchildren Cara Benzel (Daniel), Justin Benzel (Pamela), Brandi Attebury and her husband Jon, Rayme Benzel and his wife Lexie, Eric Eckley; five great grandchildren, Bélla, Danny, Chase, Kaylin and Colton; and a sister Joanne Pfeffer of Altoona.

            Mr. Benzel was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Altoona.

He was a 1950 graduate of Altoona High School.

He was a U. S. Navy veteran serving during the Korean War as an Aviation Machinist Mate Airman.

Skip retired as co-owner of Benzel’s Bretzel Bakery in 1991 after spending his entire life in the business.

He was a life member of both the Bavarian Aid Society and the Swiss Club. He was also a member of the American Legion.

Skip was an avid Philadelphia Phillies baseball fan and a Penn State football fan.

Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday August 13, 2019 and 10-11 a.m. Wednesday August 14, 2019 at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Drew McCaffery officiating.

Interment will be made at Blair Memorial Park, Bellwood.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations please be made to James E. Van Zandt VAMC, Attention: Voluntary Services, 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602, check memo: "please place in General Fund".

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