Obituary
Guest Book
Oct
15
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation North Cemetery
1300 East 161st Street, Westfield, IN 46074
Send FlowersServices provided by
Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary (A.R.N. Cremation) - ZionsvilleOnly 2 days left for delivery to next service.
Dr. Raphael Lyle Warkel
June 27, 1942 – October 11, 2025
Dr. Raphael Lyle Warkel, 83, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 27, 1942, to Samuel and Betty Warkel, Dr. Warkel lived a life marked by service, intellect, creativity, and love. He proudly served his country as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and went on to earn his medical degree from Drexel Medical College in Philadelphia (formerly MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine).
A respected pathologist, Dr. Warkel moved to Indiana in 1979 to join Community Hospital and later AmeriPath, where he practiced with dedication until his retirement in 2012.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Warkel was a gifted and prolific painter and an avid art collector, with a special passion for American Illustration. He also loved to dance—a joy that led him to meet the love of his life, Harriet, when she was just sixteen. Together, they shared a lifelong love of dancing, including a cherished spotlight performance on the television show American Bandstand.
Dr. Warkel is survived by his beloved wife, Harriet; his son, Randall, his grandson, Matthew; and his great-granddaughter, Aqua. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved and cherished him.
Graveside services will be in Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation's North Cemetery on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 12:00 pm.
Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
11411 N Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN 46077
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreOct
15
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation North Cemetery
1300 East 161st Street, Westfield, IN 46074
Send FlowersServices provided by
Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary (A.R.N. Cremation) - ZionsvilleOnly 2 days left for delivery to next service.