Lowell H. Mendenhall
Lowell H. Mendenhall, age 86, of Beaver Dam, Wis., and formerly of Olive Branch, died Sunday, March 20, 2022, at his residence in Beaver Dam, Wis.
Mr. Mendenhall was born on May 28, 1935, in Bonnie, the son of Wayne and Fern Howard Mendenhall.
Mr. Mendenhall was a U.S. Army veteran. Lowell and his wife, Judy worked for over 50 years bending glass tubes into unique designs for the Mt. Vernon Neon Sign Company to use for the manufacture of many beer and other neon advertisements across the Midwest. He attended the Villa Ridge Union Church and served on the Egyptian School Board for 30-plus years.
He had a passion and talent for most sports including football, basketball, track and most notably baseball. He was drafted by the Braves right out of high school and then traded to the Dodgers. The Union City Dodgers were part of the larger Class D Kitty League. Mr. Mendenhall played with the team for two of the best record years in its history (1954, 1956), consistently batting well over .300. During his army stint of the Korean War, he also played baseball for the 1956 army team the U.S. Cannoneers in Baumholder, Germany.
In his retirement years, he shared his passion and talent with both the Egyptian girls and boys junior high and high school baseball and softball teams, helping to teach the pitching, hitting and fielding skills he knew so well.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judith A. Mendenhall on Feb. 13, 2022; and by seven siblings.
Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Mandy and Kenny Cain; granddaughter Erin Railsback; grandson Casey Cain and wife, Stephanie; and great-grandchildren Silas Railsback, Darby, Charlotte and Fred Cain.
Military honors were presented at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms by the National Guard burial team and American Legion Post No. 178.
Graveside funeral services were at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 24, at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Mt. Vernon. The Rev. Larry Buckles officiated. Interment followed.
Memorials can be made to Villa Ridge Union Church, 278 Olmsted Rd., Villa Ridge, Ill. 62996.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.jones-funeral.com.
Jones Funeral Home Tamms was in charge of arrangements.