Kathryn (Mehalick) Channell

Kathryn Mehalick Channell passed away on April 14, 2015 at the Veterans Home of California in Chula Vista, with her sons by her bedside. She was born on January 30, 1921 in Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania to Michael and Anastasia "Bessie" (Fuszczek) Mehalick, who had emigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Kathryn was a 1939 graduate of Homer City High School. She enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1943 as a medical technician during World War II. After Kathryn mustered out as a Corporal, she returned home and got her nursing degree in 1949 at Indiana Hospital School of Nursing. In 1951 she enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant, and qualified as a Flight Nurse. Kathryn met and married Lieutenant Lynn R. Channell while serving overseas in France. She was discharged in 1953 as a First Lieutenant and they moved stateside to Westover A.F.B. in Massachusetts. She had three sons and raised her family at various Air Force bases in Massachusetts, Alaska, California, and the Philippines. Kathryn was always proud of her military service and was a Charter Member of the Women in Military Service Memorial Foundation in Washington DC. She enjoyed singing with the choir in military and civilian life, as well as working needlepoint and other crafts. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three brothers, John, Jacob, and Peter. She is survived by her sister, Sue Voytek of Ventura; three sons: Jeff of San Diego, Charles (and wife Laura) of Rolling Hills Estates, and Scott (and wife Larisa) of Westchester, all in California; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces, a nephew, and grand-nieces. Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 3PM at the St. Francis Cemetery, Coral with Msgr John Regoli. Military Graveside services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Women In Military Service for America Memorial Foundation in Washington DC, 800-222-2294 or http://www.womensmemorial.org.