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Memorial Keepers (1)

Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home

Sgt. Marc James Rothmel

May 28th, 1983 - June 24th, 2016

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Sergeant Marc James Rothmel Marc was born May 28, 1983 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and died an American Hero this past Friday June 24, 2016 of unknown causes. Even though he was born in South Florida, Marc and his father moved to the Tampa Bay area where he went to Hillel School of Tampa and graduated in 1997. Marc showed early signs of true heroism when he acted swiftly to save Richard's life at summer camp when they were both just little boys. Marc was a huge Miami Dolphins fan however he carried the "jersey jinx". Anytime he asked for a jersey the player eventually flamed out, and was cut or traded. We all agreed not to get him jerseys anymore, unless we wanted the player out. He loved his family, football, comedy, dogs, food of any and all kinds, Christmas Eve dinner at Nana's, Christmas dinner with his Mom, Joe and their crazy friends. Marc decided after High School to go directly into the Army and shortly after he enlisted 9/11 occurred and shaped his life forever. Marc received the Bronze Star Medal fighting with Valor almost every week under fire in Sadr City, Bagdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. As an MP he was the gunner on the top of his Humvee and saved his Commanding Officers Life and had to kill several of the enemy while only being 19 and 20 years old. He was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 campaign stars, Bronze Star Medal for heroism in combat, Army Commendation Medal for heroism in combat (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Korean Defense Service Medal. He left the Army in December 2012 and struggled with addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder, moving from homeless shelters in El Paso, TX where the Army released him to the halfway houses in South Florida. His father stepped back into the picture and placed Marc into a Long-Term Care in Southern California, where he graduated and did an internship and then became part of the staff. He enjoyed helping others become clean off of drug addiction. Marc came to Charlotte, NC almost a year ago to help his father recuperate from a bad motorcycle accident. He greatly enjoyed living back with his father and brother in Charlotte where he stayed clean and sober. He started attending CPCC where he maintained a 4.0 average and was looking forward to returning in the fall. This was the happiest we have ever seen him and the family is at a loss about his sudden death. After Marc's passing a fellow soldier had this and many other wonderful things to say about his friend, "It was the absolute honor of my life to serve side by side with him through the worst of situations. I never needed to worry that Rothmel wasn't doing his job. His attentiveness and quick trigger finger probably kept many of us alive." Drug Addiction, PTSD, Depression, and holding it all in is a very bad combination. The one thing we do know is this was not something that he planned. It was a combination of unfortunate circumstances. We all hope and pray that he was at peace when he passed. But we are sure that he is finally at peace now. He is survived by his son, Tobias Eugene Rothmel age 10, and his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Rothmel, age 9; father, Kenneth Rothmel; brother, William "Blake" Rothmel; step-mother, Cynthia Doehler Kott; step-sister, Amanda Mullins Gomez; uncle Jeff Rothmel; Aunt Jule Rothmel; cousins, Melissa Rothmel Meybin, Charles Meybin, Lindsey Rothmel Vyselaar, Walter Vyselaar, Sarah Rothmel; uncle Ed Quick; aunt Kathy Quick, cousins Jamie & Pam Quick, cousin Andrea, cousin Michael & Gosha Quick. On his mother's family side Marc is survived by his mother and step-father Rebecca (Nee Locke) and Joseph Antico, step-brother, Richard Antico, aunt Charmaine, aunt Debbie, uncle Jim, Nana Angela Antico, aunt Rose, uncle Sterling, uncle Mark, aunt Michelle, cousin's: Jazmine, SJ , Nick, Chase, Zeke, Jenna & Keila. Marc was predeceased by his Papa Joe Antico, Grandpa Locke and Grandmother Barbara. A memorial service to honor Marc's memory will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 3:00pm at Temple Beth El, 5101 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226, with Rabbi Judy Schindler and Cantor Andrew Bernard officiating. The family will receive guests and friends at the Temple immediately following the service. There will be another Memorial in South Florida at 3PM on July 3rd with a Color Guard and another religious ceremony at the following location Mandel Jewish Community Center of Palm Beach, 5221 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. 33418, 561-692-4853, services conducted by Rabbi Steve Pinsky. In lieu of flowers reach out to Veteran causes in your area.

We Entrusted Sgt. James Rothmel's Care To

Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home

Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home

At Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, nestled in the historic heart of Dilworth, we have provided families in the Charlotte area with customizable memorial services for many years. Our services are crafted to honor your loved ones in ways that are both deeply meaningful and healing. Our rich history began in 1946 when Irvin W. Hankins and James B. Whittington took the reins of the Crouch Funeral Home. The growth of our service and the community's support led to our move in March 1963 to the current location—once St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, built in 1930. Our chapel, a cherished historic landmark within the storied Dilworth neighborhood, is renowned for being the only funeral home in Charlotte graced with its own chapel, echoing with decades of history and serenity....

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(704) 218-9955

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