Peg Mendel was born August 21, 1920, in Seoul, Korea to Loraine Plum Ely of California and Thomas Ely of England. She died on June 9, 2011 in Bakersfield, California. She attended schools in Canada and Switzerland, and returned to live in San Francisco in 1940 where she worked at Shell Oil Co. for 5 years, then came to Apple Valley in 1947 where she met and married Albert Mendel of Circle M Hereford and Guest Ranch. They later abandoned ranching and established Golden Land Printing Co. Peg was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; step-son, Brig. Gen. Edward Mendel, USAF, Ret.; grandchildren, Debra Wilson, and Jeremy Mendel; brothers Eric Ely, and Richard Ely. She is survived by step-son, Albert Mendel Jr. & wife Shirley; daughter Loraine Kallenberger & husband Ross; son Tom Mendel & wife Diana; son Bob Mendel; daughter Karen Kniffen; daughter-in-law Lou Mendel; and numerous grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Peg was active in Girl Scouts as a Brownie Leader and Neighborhood Chairman. She was a Past President and Charter member of Apple Valley Women's Club as well as Past President and Life Member of St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary. She was a founder member of Assistance League of Victor Valley where she served in several offices including Secretary, President, National Assistance League District Secretary, and on NAL Bylaws and Philanthropic Committees. She was a founder member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Apple Valley, where she served as Altar Guild Directress and Stewardship Coordinator, but transferred her membership to St. Hilary's Episcopal Church, Hesperia, where she served as Treasurer, Vestryman and Lay Eucharistic Minister. She also served for seven years as St. Hilary's representative to and Treasurer of the Eastern Deanery Council. Peg moved to Bakersfield in 2008 to be closer to family but dearly missed her desert home and friends. Services will be held at Victor Valley Mortuary (760-245-8164) at 10 a.m. on June 22, 2011. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Hilary's Memorial Fund or to Assistance League of Victor Valley.

Published in the Daily Press from June 19 to June 29, 2011