Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James E. Peel, 72

DOVER - Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James E. Peel of Dover died Sunday, July 1, 2007, in Bayhealth Medical Center, Dover. He was 72.

Mr. Peel was born in Cincinnati, son of the late Earl and Rosella (Kist) Peel.

He attended the University of Cincinnati for two years, and in 1956 entered the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating in 1960, which was the second class at the academy.

Mr. Peel served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, retiring in 1988.

Upon his discharge from the military, he served as an associate professor at Delaware State University and as an instructor in airway science, retiring in 1997.

Mr. Peel was a member of the Daedalians Society and the Civil Air Patrol, and was a volunteer at Kent General Hospital throughout the years. He had also been a longtime member of Holy Cross Church, Dover, and the Knights of Columbus Council 4182.

He enjoyed flying, tennis and golf.

Mr. Peel was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Joan M. Peel of Dover; three sons, Henry G. of Dover, Paul E. of King of Prussia, Pa., and James H. of Arlington, Va.; two daughters, Rosanne M. Groeneveld-Meijer of Winnetka, Ill., and Margaret M. Gleeson of Berkeley Heights, N.J.; and four grandchildren, Andrew K. and Grace P. Groeneveld-Meijer of Winnetka, and Sean P. and Sarah Joan Gleeson of Berkeley Heights.

Mass of Christian burial will be noon Thursday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, South State Street, Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will be private in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.

Arrangements by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director Inc., Dover.