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John J. Makel Jr.

Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | January 20, 2025

John J. Makel Jr., age 74, of Forward Twp., passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Jefferson Hospital. He retired after more than 30 years as a senior engineer at Carnegie Mellon University. He had a PhD in anthropology and archeology and studied at several universities and in South America. He was a member of Stephen Bayard Masonic Lodge 526 in Elizabeth and loved motorcycles. Born September 30, 1950 in Waynesburg, he was a son of the late John J. Makel Sr. and Lucille (Buday) Makel. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Carole Schiffman-Makel; sons, Chad (Amanda Dudash) Schiffman of Forward Twp. and Ross Schiffman of Forward Twp.; niece, Ehrin (Bill) Murry of Forward Twp.; great-niece, Abigail Murry; and sister-in-law, Diane Gunther of Carrick. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth, on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 3-7 PM. A Masonic service will be held in the funeral home on Friday at 6:30 PM, followed by a funeral service at 7 PM in the chapel with Rev. Jude Urso officiating. Private burial will take place at Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Tunnels to Towers, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or ASPCA online at aspca.org. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

Originally published January 20, 2025.

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