SANDEL, SCOTT
Scott Ellsworth Sandel, 65, of Riggsville, formerly of Elk Rapids, and St. Louis, MI passed away peacefully, Sunday, December 31, 2023 at home with his wife and soulmate, Eileen Bur, and his cat, Faith, by his side.
Scott was born in Alma, MI December 24, 1958, the son of Gordon D. and Jacquelyn M. Sandel. He was a 1977 graduate of St. Louis High School where he exceled in baseball, football and track. He held the school record for the 330-yard hurdles for a time. He attended Northern Michigan University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry and developed life-long friendships. He later enjoyed softball, playing for Twin City Landscape. On September 8, 2007, he married Eileen Bur.
In high school, Scott worked for the Alward-carter Funeral Home (now Lux Funeral Home) that was next door to his home. After college, his boss, Ron Alward, offered to: teach him the funeral business, guide his apprenticeship, and pay for Scott’s Mortuary Science Degree at Wayne State University. Not a career path he intended, but a path he exceled at. After 10 years, he transferred to Covell Funeral Homes in Elk Rapids, Kingsley, and Traverse City, MI. Ten years later he moved to Cheboygan, MI where he was the manager of the Christian Funeral Home and later the consolidated Nordman-christian Funeral Home until his retirement in June of 2020. His 40th year as a licensed Funeral Director was in 2023.
Scott especially enjoyed his wilderness property along the Manistique River in the Upper Peninsula. He was a beekeeper for 50 years, a business he loved. His business, Sandel Honey Farms, is well known in the Cheboygan and Riggsville areas. Scott and his wife sold at the Cheboygan Farmers Market and Bur’s Farm Market, Riggsville. Eileen would jokingly ask, “Are you here to sell or talk?” He thrived at both. His cat, Faith, was his companion until the end – for over 13 years – and brought him great comfort. He also enjoyed his bull dozer (he was like a kid with a Tonka truck), three and four wheeling, and his family and friends.
Scott will be remembered for his smile, his preference for privacy, putting others first, beekeeping, and especially his sense of humor. In birth and in death, Scott locked in the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, sure to be fondly remembered by his family and friends each holiday season.
Scott is survived by his wife, Eileen, his brothers Mark (Anita) of Elwell and Lance of Alma, his niece, Emiliee, and nephews, Colin and Charlie. Also, by his in-laws, Kathleen Lancour and Joe (Sue) Bur all of Cheboygan. And, his beloved cat, Faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jackie and Gordon; father and mother-in-law, Ben and Margaret Bur, and in-laws Harold Lancour and Kristine Bur.
A special thank you to Charlie Maltby for caring for the bees after Scott could no longer do so. And, to his caregivers this last month, Kasandra and Jerry.
Memorials may be made to the family for donation to an organization that supports medical research (yet to be determined).
The family will receive friends at the Nordman-christian Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 3rd from 4-8 pm and on Thursday, January 4th beginning at 10 a.m. A service celebrating Scott’s life will be held on Thursday at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Burial and burial rites will be held at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Riggsville immediately following the service.
www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com