Michael Mandell
Denver native Michael Mandell passed away July 12, 2026, just shy of his 89th birthday. A service was held at Rose Hill Cemetery on July 14, 2026, officiated by Rabbi Raphael Leban and Rabbi Yaakov Meyer. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mr. Mandell was born July 28, 1937, on the West Side to Sylvia Klausner and Carl Mandell, the IJN editor who reported extensively on the Holocaust.
After WW II, Mr. Mandell moved to the East Side where he attended East High School, graduating at age 16. He attended the University of Chicago for two years, where he met his wife of 64 years, Dona (Masters).
The couple moved to Denver where Mr. Mandell earned three degrees from the University of Colorado (BA, MA and PhD), all focused on advanced mathematics.
Mr. Mandell worked at multiple colleges and universities teaching math, briefly as a taxi cab driver, as a CPA and finally as an auditor for the State of Colorado for nearly 30 years.
He was very involved in the Jewish community of Denver, attending Kohelet for many years before moving to BMH-BJ. He was an avid student of Torah and continued to study regularly until his passing.
Mr. Mandell was devoted to his family and friends. Among his interests, he collected glass animals, loved Japanese art, Gustav Mahler, Gilbert & Sullivan, a wide range of movies and TV shows, watching professional sports, current events, reading, crosswords, fresh seasonal produce, a good drink and extremely hot chicken noodle soup.
Until his 80s, he was an excellent swimmer and jogged regularly, and regularly played basketball and touch football for much of his life. He maintained a daily diary log for decades as well, chronicling the mundane and occasionally exciting events of his life.
Mr. Mandell was predeceased by wife Dona and daughter Leah. He is survived by daughter Chava (Eric) Riemer, grandson Zeke, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donations may be made to Jewish Family Services Emergency Fund or Yeshiva Toras Chaim.
Steven Sobol
Colorado native Steven Sobol passed away on April 21, 2026, at the age of 71. A service was held on April 30 at Temple Emanuel, with interment at Emanuel Cemetery.
Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Born on April 17, 1955, Mr. Sobol celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Emanuel and lived most of his life in Denver and Aurora before moving to Grand Junction to be near family.
Mr. Sobol was an advocate for the handicapped – especially for children. In his book, From Disability to This-Ability: Who Feels Sorry for Thomas Edison, Mr. Sobol described the challenges he had growing up while severely disabled, and the advantages of technology modern children have today.
Mr. Sobol’s family said:
“He volunteered extensively with nonprofits and hospitals across Colorado, offering his life as an example. As disabled as he was, he could make a difference. In doing so, his life asked the quiet question – how much more could the abled do.
“Steven was kind and joyful, serious in his purpose, and unwavering in his belief that every life has value.
“He did not ask what he could not do – he showed what he could.”
Survivors include Mr. Sobol’s twin brother, Stan Sobol; and his sisters, Sheila and Ruth.
Byron Weiss
Denver native Byron “Whizzy” Weiss died on March 17, 2026, at the age of 86. A service was held on March 19 at Temple Emanuel, with interment at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in 1939, Mr. Weiss graduated from East High School in 1957. After attending college at the University of Boston for one year, he returned to Denver and worked in the family record store on 16th Street.
Mr. Weiss later worked in the family salvage business, and then founded Porta Power, which was housed at the historic Rock Drill property on 39th Ave., which became a redevelopment anchor in the East Side.
Survivors are Mr. Weiss’ sons, Brett and Andy.
Stuart Horwitz
Stuart Horwitz died on July 11, 2026. He was 90. A service was held at Sol Levinson’s chapel in Pikesville, Md., with interment at Mikro Kodesh Beth Israel Cemetery in Rosedale, Md. Feldman Mortuary handled arrangements.
Mr. Horwitz, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was a longtime engineer with Bendix and Westinghouse. Much of his life was in Baltimore, Md., before spending the past year with family in Denver.
In 1994, Mr. Horwitz married Barbara Weiss. They were a couple until Mrs. Horwitz passed away in 2025.
Survivors are Mr. Horwitz’ children Brenda (Tim) Ryan and Miles Horwitz; brother Ted (Sandy) Horwitz; grandchildren Jack Ryan, Alexandra Ryan and Danielle Ryan; and Mrs. Weiss’ grandchildren Mindy (Scott) Valpey and Diana (Don Jones) Fay.
Contributions may be made to Blue Star Recyclers.
© IJN 2026
