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Richard
Obituary of Richard H. Mantel
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Richard H. Mantel, 95, passed over on November 13, 2013 at the Country Arch
Care Center.
Born in Trenton on August 17, 1918, Richard attended Harrison Elementary
School, graduated from Junior High School #4 in 1933, Trenton Central High School in
1936 and Rider College in 1939. From 1939 to 1942, he owned and operated the first
retail store to offer cut up poultry in the city of Trenton.
Entering the U.S. Army in 1942, he graduated from the Officer Candidate School
at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, PA. After honorable discharge from the Army in 1946,
he lived in New Egypt until moving to Hopewell Township in 1952, residing there until
2011.
Richard owned and operated Hiohela Sportland from 1952 until 1977. He taught
hundreds of people how to bowl correctly and made many lifelong friends. After selling
Hiohela in 1977, he was associated with Shop-Rite until his retirement in 2000.
Richard was a prolific reader and enjoyed a number of keen interests including
ballroom dancing, travel, studying the New Jersey pine barrens, hunting, boating and
fishing – but most of all, spending time with family. He was proud to be a life member
of Hopewell American Legion Post 339 and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, J. Henry and Caroline Mantel, brothers
Henry and William Mantel, sister-in-law Fannie Mantel and nephew Jeffrey Mantel.
He is survived by daughter Shirley and son-in-law Paul Wagner, daughter Carolyn
Exelby; granddaughters Caroline Mantel, Jenna Murray and husband Dave, and great
granddaughter Aubrey; nieces Laurie and husband Wally Mariani, Henriette Mantel,
Chloe Mantel and husband Bill Taylor; nephew Burk and wife Joan Mantel, and several
grand nieces and nephews. Richard also had many wonderful memories of time spent
eating biscuits with his family in North Carolina -- Peggy, Billy, BJ, Hal, Cheryl and
Caitlin.
Richard will be fondly remembered as Pop-Pop and Uncle Richard -- a beloved
father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He may be gone from our lives but not
from our hearts.
At Richard's request, there will be no funeral service. A private family graveside
service will be held at the Pointville Cemetery in Fort Dix under the direction of the
Tilghman Funeral Home, New Egypt.
Richard shared his home with his beloved feline companion, Whitey, and
requested that contributions be made to the Best Friends Animal Society so that less
fortunate animals will have a better life. Donations may be made online at https://
secure.bestfriends.org/page/contribute/memory. The best way to honor Richard’s
memory would be to enjoy one of his favorite things in life – a bowl of ice cream.