In Memory
Leonard C. Paskell
May 9, 1939 – Mar. 24, 1974
A coroner’s verdict is pending in the cause of death late Sunday morning of Leonard Paskell Jr., 34, of 1023 White Oak Dr., who died at 11:20 a.m. Sunday in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
He was taken to the hospital in a Fire Department ambulance after he was stricken about 1:45 p.m. Saturday in the office of a dentist, Dr. Allen E. English at 919 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Paskell was reportedly under an anesthetic during oral surgery when he was stricken. Fire Department ambulance officials who found Paskell in a dentist’s chair, said he showed symptoms of being a heart attack victim.
But an autopsy Sunday failed to reveal the cause of death, according to Dr. Stanley M. Koscielski, county coroner. He pointed out that the results of additional tests were expected to be available in about 10 days.
English said that Paskell became ill during surgery to remove teeth. He pointed out that Paskell, who was under an anesthetic, did not regain consciousness.
When it was apparent that Paskell had become ill, English said he and his staff administered medication normally used in such instances but Paskell failed to respond.
Dr. Herbert Frank, whose office is located in the same building, assisted in the effort to revive Paskell, according to English. The dentist said that Paskell showed symptoms of “third degree heart block,” a sign of a serious heart seizure.
“We still don’t know what made him sick,” said English. He added that Paskell had been an oral surgery patient in his office on two other occasions when an anesthetic had been used and had showed no effects as a result.
English also said that before Saturday’s surgery, tests of Paskell’s blood pressure, heart and other vital signs appeared normal.
Paskell was the second person in recent days to die after being stricken during dental treatment. Embolism – air in the blood stream – was given as the cause of death Tuesday afternoon of a 25-year-old woman who stopped breathing during treatment by Dr. Richard A. Bowyer.
Hospital officials indicated that Paskell was not suffering from embolism when he was admitted.
Paskell was a truck driver for C. & E. Trucking Corp. Born May 9, 1939, in South Bend, he had lived here all his life. On July 15, 1960, in Michigan City, he married Doris Hairston, who survives.
Also surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Paskell Sr. of South Bend; two sons, Leon and Leonardo, both at home, two daughters, Lorraine and LaDoris, both at home, two sisters, Mrs. Marcia Gammage of South Bend and Mrs. Rochelle K. Hampton of Nashville, Tenn.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Alford’s Mortuary. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. James Chism, associate pastor and Rev. F.D. Johnson, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Mr. Paskell was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church and had served with the U.S. Air Force.
02/27/2021 DEC
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