Ella Mae Radel

April 13, 1924 - January 6, 2022

Ella Mae Radel, age 97, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022 at home. She was born on April 13, 1924 to Frank and Echo (Radabough) McAdow in St. Francisville, IL. Ella moved to Muskegon in 1928 with her family and resided here the rest of her life. When Ella was growing up, she loved being outdoors. She told us how she walked in the woods barefoot and fished and swam on the Muskegon River with her brothers and sisters. At a young age Ella worked for her father in the oil fields near the Muskegon River. She checked tools in and out from the tool shed for all of the oil workers. Ella worked in downtown Muskegon at a Montgomery Wards and one of the few jewelry stores at the time. After most of Ella’s children graduated, she worked for JC Penneys in Norton Shores. Most of all Ella truly enjoyed caring for her family. In her free time, she loved to read and go to the singles dance on Friday nights to socialize and dance. A favorite pastime of Ella’s was working Word Search puzzles until she lost her eyesight to macular degeneration. On November 12, 1948 she married Lloyd F. Radel and after 39 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on June 11, 1987. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Cathy (Dale) Beckner; 2 grandsons, Frederick Kacos and Larry Newell; parents Frank and Echo McAdow; 4 Brothers, Frank, Owen, Harry, and John McAdow; 1 Sister, Wilma (Merrill) Gerst; and 2 Brothers-in-law, Merrill Gerst and Donald Brott. SURVIVORS include six children; Carol Radel, Cheryl St. Amour, Cynthia Radel, Brian Radel, Christine (Larry) Newell and Corinne Radel; one sister, Lucretia (Don) Brott; Sister-in-law, Connie (Harry) McAdow; 13 Grandchildren, Michelle Plews, Ryan Beekman, Jamie Beekman, Melissa Kacos, Laura Pechumer, James Pechumer, Jennifer Pechumer, Rachel (William) Muhamet, Joey Veihl, Andrea (Cris) Hinds, Sarah Newell, Daniel (Emily) Newell, Ashley (Aaron) Malenfant; 22 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great Great Grandchild; and many much loved nieces and nephews. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held for Ella at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 13, 2021 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 with Pastor Sally Ro officiating. VISITATION with the family will be 10:00 AM prior to the service at the funeral home. BURIAL will take place Spring Lake Cemetery with immediate family only. Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases locally, the family requests masks be worn during visitation and service. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan 1930 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.