Mrs. Dorothy L. Mengel

Dorothy L. Mengel, lovingly known as Dottie, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on June 24, 1937, in Harrisburg, PA, she was the daughter of Paul and Hannah Schmiedel. Her life was marked by steady kindness and respect for others.

Dottie built a life centered on service and compassion. She was a dedicated registered nurse who gave more than forty years of her life to helping people, offering comfort, skill, and reassurance to those in her care. Nursing was more than a profession to her; it was a calling that reflected the generous spirit she carried throughout her life. She often poured through her nursing books even long after she retired to provide information to her friends and family. She was a graduate of the Donaldson School of Nursing, Class of 1958, and carried the values of that training with her for the rest of her days. She quietly devoted herself to her church, Salem Lutheran Church in Oberlin, PA.

Those who knew Dottie will remember her as being whip smart with a witty sense of humor to match her knowledge. She knew something about everything and if she didn’t know it, she would find out by the next time you talked to her – or, she would call you when she had the answer. She was passionate about puzzles and learning and enjoyed hobbies that sharpened those skills such as cross word puzzles, reading and figuring out plays at the casino.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin H. Mengel Jr., and she leaves behind her three children, Donald Lighty, Robert Lighty, and Robin Halbleib as well as her brother Barry Schmiedel and his wife Rogene. She was also a proud grandmother to four grandchildren.

Dottie’s passing leaves a deep emptiness, but her life leaves behind something equally enduring: a legacy of care, dedication, and love. She touched many lives through her work, her friendships, and her family, and she will be remembered with gratitude and affection by all who knew her. Her example of service and quiet devotion will remain a comfort to those who loved her.

Dottie will be laid to rest at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery next to her husband Frank.