ARELEE GAMBREL

1948 - 2021

ARELEE GAMBREL, 72, of Columbia City, passed away Sunday, June 6, 2021. Born on Nov. 6, 1948 in Mills, Ky., he was a son of the late Harl and Ida (Patterson) Gambrel. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War receiving a Purple Heart and Bronze Star along with a number of other commendations. He worked in industrial maintenance, retiring from Cintas after 40-plus years. He will be remembered as a man who greatly loved his family. Surviving family include his wife, Melva; children, Lori Gambrel, Jamison (Renee) Shafer, David (Audra) Shafer, and Heather White; grandchildren, Tara, Torri, Kristina, Jamison, Gavin, Reislynn, Breauna, Isaiah, Patrick, Kara, and Evan; five great-grandchildren; sister, Bonnie; and brother, Eugene. Besides his parents, he was preceded in passing by three sisters and two brothers. Memorial service is 1 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021, at New Life Fellowship Church, 902 Putnam St., Fort Wayne with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior. Memorials may be made to the church. Condolences and memories of Arelee may be left online at www.mccombandsons.com