Erich E Bandelow

Erich Everett Bandelow, born March 26, 1951, at home Avena Township Fayette County Illinois, to Delbert Bandelow and Esther Durheim Bandelow, passed peacefully on December 21, 2025.

Erich attended Bethlem Lutheran Parochial School Rural Altamont Illinois as well attended High School at St. Elmo Highschool, St. Elmo Illinois. Following high school, he attended United Electronics Institute Louisville, Kentucky. After graduation, Erich enlisted in the US Navy September 24, 1971 where he completed Boot Camp at Great Lakes Illinois.

After Boot Camp, Erich attended Avionics A School NAS Memphis located in Millington, Tennessee. Once he completed Avionics A school, he attended TD or "Tradevman" A school, where after completion of A Schools at NAS Memphis, he was assigned duty station at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, after completion of tour September 23, 1975.

After his military duty, he went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. July 6, 1976. Erich was part of many technological changes in the communication industry. From the Mechanical Step by Step and #5 Crossbar switching systems to the Electronic switching system and Digital switching systems. Also, the fiber optics transport equipment and also to the birth of the modern-day internet and voiceover IP communications.

He completed his career in the communications industry as a Communications Technician/Technical Field Services/Power on September 1, 2017, from AT&T with 41 years' service. After his retirement he enjoyed assisting his wife in the Food Pantry at the First Christian Church serving the community through the services of the pantry.

He and Carolyn were married at Calvary Baptist Church Kingsville, Texas, on December 27, 1993.

He is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Louise Moore Bandelow, his parents Delbert Bandelow and Esther Bandelow, his brother Vernon Bandelow, and brother-in-law Charles Heinz.

Erich leaves behind family and friends. This includes stepchildren Cindee Pate (Charley), James Arnold (Jennifer); 8 grandchildren Sunny Pate, Buck Pate, Mya Pate, Sarah Arnold, Rebekah Arnold, Emma Arnold, Trey Arnold, and John Erich Arnold.

Erich's siblings are Marie Spencer (Butch), Carolyn Heinz, Gwendolyn Durbin (John), Ellen Keller (Jason) and sister-in-law Bonnie Bandelow.

A visitation will be held at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. 

Please join the family as we honor the life of Erich Everett Bandelow.