Edward J Mandl

Edward Joseph Mandl, Sr., known to family and friends as Eddie, was born August 4, 1931, in Camden, New Jersey, to Kathryn (Downing) Mandl and Edward C. Mandl. A graduate of Glen-Nor High School in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, Eddie was a standout basketball player. While in high school he met Dorothy Ruth Seifert (“Ruth”), captain of the cheerleaders and valedictorian. They married on October 25, 1952, shortly after Eddie returned from service in the Korean War and were married for 53 years until Ruth’s passing on December 9, 2005. Together they raised six children: Edward J. Mandl, Jr., Linda Lee Mandl Dowdall, Patricia Anne Mandl Knowles, Mary Lou Mandl Pasersky, Michael Jay Mandl, and David Jason Mandl.

Eddie served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from March 30, 1951, to March 29, 1954, including deployment to Korea. He was wounded in action during an enemy attack and—after treatment for broken ribs, a concussion, and other injuries—returned to the front lines. He survived several close calls and was awarded the Purple Heart. His other recognitions include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. He also received commendation letters from the U.S. Secretary of Defense and from the President of the Republic of Korea.

After his military service, Eddie devoted his career to law enforcement, serving as a Marple Township police officer in Broomall for 35 years. He was widely respected by colleagues and neighbors for his steady courage, integrity, and commitment to community.

Family was central to Eddie’s life. He and Ruth instilled a love of the outdoors and a spirit of adventure in their children, taking summer road trips that allowed the family to visit 49 of the 50 states before the children finished high school. Eddie taught his sons to play baseball, football, and basketball, and he fiercely protected and supported his daughters. He modeled values of service, self-reliance, humility, quiet confidence, and hard work—earning the respect and affection of people from all walks of life.  He was genuinely admired for his courage, strength and steadiness even in the most challenging of times, defying death himself on more than one occasion and modeling fortitude during times of tragedy when family members left us too soon.  He stood tall (literally and figuratively) and handled all of life’s twists and turns with grace and love.

He is survived by his children Patricia Anne Knowles (Tom), Michael J. Mandl (Nancy), and David J. Mandl (Geren); nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Charles, David, and Lawrence; his wife, Ruth Mandl; his children Edward J. Mandl, Jr., Linda Lee Mandl Dowdall, and Mary Lou Mandl Pasersky; his granddaughter Lisa Pasersky Parks; and his great-grandson Jacob McCole.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:00am on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Logan-Videon Funeral Home, 2001 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008. Funeral Liturgy will in the funeral home at 11:00am. Interment will follow in SS> Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA where military honors will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/, the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/, or the Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/. 

The family welcomes memories and appreciates the community’s support during this time.