Edward J. Fandel, 87

 September 6, 1936 – February 10, 2024

TUPELO – Edward Joseph Fandel passed away peacefully at Sanctuary Hospice House February 10, 2024. He was born September 6, 1936, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to the late Virginia and Bruno Fandel and was the oldest of five siblings, Jim, Jerry, Ilene and Linda. The family later moved to Chicago, where Ed attended East Leyden High School and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He continued his education at Oceanside Community College and finished his education at the University of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and his Masters Degree in Business Administration. He married his lifelong dance partner, Jeanette Rummage on September 3, 1960, and they had three sons, Steve, Jay, and Mark. He went to work for FMC/Linkbelt in 1959 as an engineer and moved his family to Tupelo in 1974 when FMC opened a new facility in Saltillo. He later retired in 1994 and began his most important job as full-time chef of IHOPP (International House of Papaw’s Pancakes). He loved traveling, playing cards, and playing golf with his boys and his buddies in the group known as Brown’s Bombers. Most of all he loved dancing with Jeanette, where they would be the first on the dance floor and the last to leave at most functions.

He is survived by Jeanette, his wife of 63 years; their three boys Steve (Kim), Jay (Frances) and Mark (Katherine); five grandchildren, Peyton (Catherine), Jonathan (Brittany), Drew (Anne Claire), Nicholas and Lauren; five step-grandchildren, Marc Benavidez, Dylan Benavidez, Jaymie (Katie) Benavidez, Dani (Derrick) Hughes, and Juli Bender; four great-grandchildren Winn, Jane, Bennett, and Emma; four step-great-grandchildren Aria, Siria, Anthony, and Sophia; brother Jerry (Nancy) Fandel and sisters Ilene (Jim) Padavic and Linda (Lea) Burrack; sister-in-law Karen Fandel; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno and Virginia, brother Jim Fandel, and brother-in-law Jim Padavic.

The family expresses their appreciation to Sanctuary Hospice House of Tupelo and his care givers Susan Unger and Pat Winter.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday February 17, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church in Tupelo. Visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 10 AM. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House of Tupelo, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38802.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.