Entered into eternal rest on December 22, 2006, Mendel E. Caldwell, husband of Virginia Knight Caldwell. Residence, Charleston, SC.

Mendel was born in Lodge, SC on May 6, 1917 to the late C.J.D. and Nancy Breland Caldwell.

He attended the University of South Carolina, studying accounting and secretarial science.

He worked in the Charleston Naval Shipyard Disbursing Office prior to WWII. During the war he served on the USS Mink in the Pacific. He attended Midshipman School at Colgate University, Hamilton, NY. After the war he was commissioned as Ensign, USNR. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict. He returned to Charleston for a long career in accounting with the Navy Regional Accounting Office, District Public Works Office, and Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

Mendel was a dedicated member and leader at Ashley River Baptist Church for many years, serving as church administrator, deacon, church clerk, and Sunday School teacher.

He was an avid gardener, good Samaritan, friend to many, and active member of the Brynes Downs neighborhood association.

He was a Scout Master in Cub Scouts when his sons were young.

Surviving are: his wife of 63 years, Virginia; two sons, Mendel Caldwell, Jr., his wife Donna, and their daughter Lindsey Caldwell of Charleston, SC; Gary Caldwell and his wife Leigh, and their children David Caldwell and Amanda O'Sullivan, of Greenville, SC; daughter-in-law Valerie Caldwell-Hill and sons, Craig Caldwell of Richmond, VA, and Brett Caldwell of Greenville, SC.; two brothers, John Caldwell, of Beaufort, SC, and Edwin Caldwell, of New Ellington, SC; five sisters, May Reid and Edith Caldwell of Darlington, SC, Rose Bozard of Columbia, SC, Susan Higgins of Charlotte, SC, and Clarice Davis of Camden, SC. Mr. Caldwell was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Caldwell, and two brothers; Julian Caldwell and Alvin Caldwell.

Relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Mendel E. Caldwell are invited to attend the funeral services of the former in Ashley River Baptist Church, Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Two O'clock. Interment, Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at J. HENRY STUHR, INC.,WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, Saturday from Six until Eight O'clock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Palmetto Health Hospice, P.O. Box 50820, Summerville, SC 29485, Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407, or to Hope Lodge, 269 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401.

Published in the News & Courier, Charleston, SC