Stanley Orchel

ORCHEL, Stanley (Colonel USA Retired), 100, of Chester, Virginia died Monday, August 6, 2018 at his home. He was a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the son of the late Jacob and Anastasia Orchel, and the brother of John and Walter Orchel. Colonel Orchel was drafted into the United States Army from Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1941, commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1942 at Fort Benning, Georgia and retired as a logistics officer at Fort Polk, Louisiana in 1973. Colonel Orchel served in World War II as a platoon leader in the 511 Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Pacific Theater, in Korea (1951-52) as supply officer in the IX Corps, in Santa Domingo (1966) in the XVIII Airborne Corps and in Pleiku, Vietnam (1966-1967) as Commanding Officer of the 45th General Support Group. He also served one tour of duty in Germany and two tours of duty in Japan. Colonel Orchel's military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Master Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantry Badge. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ella Doyle Orchel. Survivors include two daughters, Carol Orchel Lewis of Chesterifeld and Sandra Orchel of Hampton, New Hampshire; son, Stanley Orchel Jr. and his wife, Rosanna, of Chester; grandsons, Hunter Lewis, Christopher Orchel and Matthew Orchel; sister, Jennie Wachowicz of Cumberland, Rhode Island and great-grandchildren: Tyler, Jackson, and Watts Lewis. Colonel Orchel's hobbies included dancing, gardening, swimming and being a maintenance worker for his three adult children. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, Rt. 301, Colonial Heights on Monday, August 13 at 11 a.m, with Father Bryan Capuano officiating. Interment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Petersburg, Virginia. Visitation will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church on Sunday, August 12 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 807 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Sunday, August 12th, 2018 3:00pm - 4:30pm, St. Ann Catholic Church

Service Information

Monday, August 13th, 2018 11:00am, St. Ann Catholic Church

Interment Details

Southlawn Memorial Park