Albert Markel, 84, died unexpectedly Monday morning, June 18, 2018.  Born in Joliet, IL, he enlisted in the U. S. Army after high school and was stationed at Fort Monroe where he was a member of the USCONARC band.
While at Fort Monroe, Al met Jo Ann Peake and after they were married, they made their home in Hampton where he was manager of a Virginia A.B.C. store.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Fox Hill and also the International Double Reed Society.  He had played oboe in many of the local orchestras, including the Norfolk Symphony (now the Virginia Symphony Orchestra).
Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann Peake Markel; a daughter, Nancy Reynolds and her husband, Van of Hampton; a son, Jeffrey Watson Markel and his wife, Amy of Tampa, FL; and three grandchildren, Megan Markel, Sarah Markel and Madison Reynolds.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday at First United Methodist Church, Fox Hill with Rev. Brian K. Sixbey officiating. Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Park.  A reception will be held at the church following the interment.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First United Methodist Church, 1 Salt Pond Road, Hampton, 23664.