Leon Mannell

Leon H. Mannell, 80, of Topeka passed away Monday Feb. 20, 2006.

He was born April 26, 1925 in Belleville, the son of Benjamin F. and Pearl E. Cook Mannell.

He was a 1943 graduate of Topeka High School. He served in the 96th Infantry Division as a M/Sgt in the South Pacific during World War II where he earned the Bronze Star Award for Valor. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University in 1950 and became a Licensed Professional Engineer.

He worked for the Greb X-Ray Company as a field- sales engineer for 15 years. It was at this time he started Mannell & Assoc. where he participated in the implantation of the first pacemaker used in Topeka.

Beginning in 1965, he went to work for the State of Kansas as the Radiological System Administrator in the division of Emergency Preparedness. It was during this time he became the Coordinator of Hazardous Materials Response for the state. The Leon H. Mannell Award is given annually to the Emergency Management Support Person of the Year, presented by KEMA.

He was a senior member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, the Kansas Engineering Society, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Health Physics Society and the Kansas Society of Fire Service Instructors, receiving Instructor of The Year Award.

He was active for over 50 years in the Boy Scouts where he received the Silver Beaver Award and was active at the Troop, Council and National levels, attending 5 National Jamboree's and was a 50 year member of the Siloam Lodge #225, A.F&A.M.

He married JoAnn Young on September 3, 1950 in Topeka. She survives. He was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine Mannell Farrier in 1984.

Other survivors include a son Mark L.; a daughter, Leann , both of Topeka; a son, David B. of Indianapolis, IN; and three grandchildren.

Mr. Mannell will lie in state after 2:00 pm, Thursday, Feb. 23 at Penwell-Gabel Mid town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 5 - 7:00 pm that evening. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm, Friday Feb. 24 at the funeral home with burial to follow in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Noah's Wish, (Voluntary rescueing and sheltering of animals in disasters)P.O. Box 997, Placerville, CA 95667 or to the Salvation Army,1320 SE. 6th St., P.O.Box 599, Topeka, KS 66601-0599.