William Lemuel Mangold PhD

William L. Mangold, PhD, passed away peacefully at his home on November 10, 2024. He was born on March 30, 1948 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the first of three sons born to the late Gordon L. and Marjorie (Klute) Mangold. 

Bill grew up in Three Oaks, MI and was a member of the last graduating class of Three Oaks High School in 1966. He then earned BS and MA degrees from Western Michigan University. After marrying and relocating to Pennsylvania, Bill earned another MA at Penn State. He taught anthropology at Harrisburg Area Community College and Penn State York Campus. Bill moved to Indiana in 1991, accepting a position as deputy state archaeologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Bill earned a PhD at Indiana University in Bloomington. He retired to South Bend in 2011 and practiced contract archaeology and assisted at Notre Dame field schools until he was stricken by Parkinson’s disease. 

Bill was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. He was very active in several avocational archaeology groups and enjoyed talking about prehistoric native cultures and artifacts to anyone who would listen. His area of expertise was paleo ceramics. Bill was certified by the Registry of Professional Archaeologists. In 1966, Bill became the first handicapped individual to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in the state of Michigan. He was a proud member of the National Association of Eagle Scouts. 

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 42 years, Kathleen (Eynon) Mangold; one brother, Donald J. (Brenda) Mangold; six nieces and nephews; sixteen grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and one great-grandniece. He was preceded by his brother, Douglas G. Mangold.

 A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. with visitation one-hour prior at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 17195 Cleveland Road, South Bend, Indiana. 

Burial will take place at noon on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Highspire Cemetery in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ the King Lutheran Church or to The Region of Three Oaks Museum, PO Box 121, Three Oaks, MI 49128.