Shael Siegel

Shael Siegel 92, Shaul Ben Zev HaLevy, a"h, who lived a long life of dignity and dedication, has died at 92.

He is survived by his lifelong soulmate, Myrna (née Brodsky); his children Eric, Michael (Kelly), and Marc (Debbie); his grandchildren Shaina (Avi), Jeremy, Hannah, and Ben; his three great-grandchildren; and his brothers Jack (Joy) and Howard (Paula) Siegel. He was the loving son of the late Sarah and William Siegel, cherished son-in-law of the late Dora and Sam Brodsky, and the brother of his treasured late sister, Freyda (Yos) Fredman. Shael was also the devoted brother-in-law of the late Madeline and Max Shifman and the late Sydney (Meryl) Brodsky, and the adored uncle to many nieces and nephews.

All who were close to Shael were made the better for his kindness, his steadfastness, and his concern. He will be remembered and cherished for his intelligence, his passion, and his caring heart. He and Myrna, his loving wife of 67 years, created a home for their three sons that was filled with affection and opportunity, as well as the meaningful, warm embrace of their beloved Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Shael grew up in the Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago's "Great Vest Side," speaking Yiddish. He was sent home from kindergarten and told not to return until he learned to speak English. He attended Penn Grammar School, spent one semester at Marshall High School before transferring to Chicago Jewish Academy, the Yeshiva, and later enrolled at DePaul Law School until he was drafted during the Korean conflict.

Stationed in Austria and Germany, he served in a special intelligence unit, drawing on his fluency in Yiddish and the German he had learned in high school. His military service deepened his understanding of the horrors of World War II and made him a proud American. It also sparked his lifelong passion for international travel and introduced him to one of his favorite hobbies-skiing-which he first learned at Hitler's former retreat in Berchtesgaden. After completing his service, he did not return to law school but instead attended Roosevelt University, where he met Myrna. They were married on June 22, 1958.

Shael's decades-long work at Proviso News Agency began each day in the early hours before dawn. Though it brought him nothing grand or glamorous, it supported the family he loved-providing a stable and comfortable life where his children could participate in sports, walk safely to school, enjoy family ski trips to Colorado, and achieve their way to distinguished universities. He lived simply, though he treated himself to camera equipment for his growing photography hobby, a good bicycle, and surprised his friends with his first Mercedes in 1974.

In retirement, Shael and Myrna traveled throughout the world-trips he planned from beginning to end-including several to Europe with Sephardic history professor Yom Tov Assis from Hebrew University. Upon returning, Myrna and Shael would invite friends to view Shael's travel slide shows while Myrna served dishes inspired by the countries they had toured.

Shael was enraptured by the world he discovered and was a natural teacher. He believed deeply that the lessons of the Shoah must never be forgotten. His work as an interviewer for the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation-sensitively recording the testimonies of Holocaust survivors with a camera crew-and later as a longtime docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, reflected the strength of his character and the intensity of his commitment to the Jewish people. He took particular pride in sharing the stories of the Righteous Among the Nations, especially courageous Italians, earning recognition from Chicago's Italian community for his efforts.

May Shael Siegel's memory be a blessing.

Services Friday 9:30 AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Westlawn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any charity that supports Israel. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com