Christel Berta Conrad McDonel

Christel Berta Conrad McDonel passed away peacefully in Dayton Ohio on October 7, 2025, just one month after her 90th birthday while under Hospice care for an extended illness. Christel is predeceased by her father Kurt Conrad, her mother Marie Conrad and her husband Bernard (Bernie) L McDonel who she married in 1978. She is survived by three stepchildren, Bruce D McDonel, Anna Marie McDonel Robinson and Betsy McDonel Herr. Over the years she came to know Bruce most closely, continuing through to her final days where he was her primary caregiver. Bruce would help Christel get to Berlin during the Summer months using his airline passes and would also use this time to visit Dayton and play golf with his father.

Christel was born in Berlin, Germany on September 7th, 1935. She grew up during World War II and was intrigued by the kindness of American soldiers based in West Berlin. This gave her a strong desire to travel to the USA someday. Christel then attended a Lyceum High School for girls in Berlin. It was a school that offered travel opportunities upon graduation where she learned English to further her dream. Christel and her best friend at the age of 25 began the immigration process and decided to go to Saint Louis and work in a travel agency. She became aware of a job as a Psychometrist at the University of Dayton that would allow her to take classes like Interior Design which would become her passion. Christel bought a few homes to flip, often doing the work herself. She realized this was her new and probably permanent home as she liked it so much. In 1976 Christel met Bernard (Bernie) McDonel and married him on December 23rd, 1978. Together they tried living in Clearwater and Stuart Florida and also visited California and Colorado which made her again realize her home was back in Dayton. Another reason she enjoyed Dayton was the true friendship developed with her neighbors Joanne Harvey and daughter Lisa. Lisa has commented Christel was like a second mother to her and she has enjoyed paying back her debt to Christel with many visits and helping her move after Bernie's death. Christel was involved in a German women’s group in Dayton as well where she was known to have spent her entire life sharing kindness. Even in her last days Christel would help to comfort the other residents as if she worked there.

Christel was also known for her stylish clothing and her dogs Muffy 1, Muffy 2 and Muffy 3. The first two were Bedlington Terriers and the last was a Bichon Frise'. Christel may not have been ours by birth, but she was ours by love. Her presence will be missed, and her legacy of love and kindness will live on in all who knew her.