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Cyril J Dangel was born June 1, 1921, to William and Edna (Wood) Dangel on a farm three miles west of Northville. Cy was raised on the farm during the Dirty Thirties with his three sisters. He attended Northville City School for 12 years. He attended Aberdeen Business College in 1939 and was hired as a secretary at AOUW Insurance Company in Aberdeen.
With the onset of World War II, Cy enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corps in August 1942. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and earned his pilot wings Nov. 15, 1943. He started flying PBM Seaplanes and lived on seaplane tenders in six bays around the Philippine Islands. They flew night patrols checking on Japanese fleets and supply ship movements. Their protocol was to leave at 6 p.m. and return to base around 7 a.m. They flew at 1,000 feet altitude about 1,000 miles. Navigation was by the stars. On Dec. 24, 1944, Cy's No. 3 Crew of VPB-20 Squadron was shot down near Negros Island, Philippines, by a Japanese Zero Fighter. The crew of 12 was rescued and later returned to their base by a PBY Seaplane. They had Christmas dinner on the 25! Cy was honorably discharged Nov. 1, 1945. He was one of the area WWII veterans on the third trip of Honor Flight South Dakota in October 2009 to visit the World War II Memorial and other sights.
He began employment at A & B Chevrolet in 1945, working as a parts man and bookkeeper for 21 years.
Cy married Desamore Wright on Feb. 15, 1947, in Redfield. They were blessed with their three children, Douglas, Michael and Julie. Cy started Dangel Insurance Agency in 1966 and retired in 1982.
Cy enjoyed volunteering. He was a past member of the Redfield Jaycee Chapter, Webelos Scout leader, Redfield Volunteer Fireman for 50 years, Redfield Lions Club member and VFW and American Legion life member. He held various leadership positions in all of the organizations. He was a fourth degree Knights of Columbus member and helped organize their blood drives for many years. He was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.
Cy and Desamore enjoyed traveling, camping and spending winters in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California. In his earlier years, he liked to hunt ducks and geese and go fishing. His all-time favorite pastime was playing cards, especially pinochle.
Cy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Desamore Dangel; his children: Douglas (Diane) Dangel, Redfield, and Michael (Juanita) Dangel, Merrimack, N.H.; son-in-law Jeff Jungwirth, Houston, Texas; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Kraig Jackson) Dangel; Jeffrey (Michelle) Dangel; Matthew (Cristina) Dangel and their children, Christopher, Elizabeth and Andrew; Katherine (Jeff) Newman and their children, Matilda and Genevieve; Christopher Jungwirth; and Amanda Jungwirth. He is also survived by his three sisters: Eileen Kramer, Iola Mulloy and Zelda (Lee) Bain and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; his daughter, Julie Ann Jungwirth in 1995; and brothers-in-law: Elmer Kramer and Maurice Mulloy.