John Pagel

John Richard Pagel, 60, Wausau, died Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau surrounded by his loving family.

John was born May 3, 1955 in Wausau to Vernon and Marie (Gebhard) Pagel. He graduated from Marathon High School with honors and later attended NCTC earning a degree in Mechanical Drafting. Over the years, John worked for Marathon Electric as a draftsman, as a ginseng grower and last for Marathon Box.

John was an independent and warm man with a heart of gold. John enjoyed spending as much time as he could outdoors; fishing, hunting with his brothers, going on one of his many walks and working in his garden. Many times John would have more vegetables than he could possibly eat, in his own quiet way he would share them with those less fortunate in the Wausau area.

John is survived by his loving mother, Marie Pagel; siblings, Mary (Ralph) Tarras, Thomas (Gloria) Pagel, Karen (Chuck) Dorn, Beverly (Robert) Kordus, Janet Vargas, Susan (Lyle) Lawrence, Donald Pagel, Patricia Kimmons, David Pagel, Andy (Laurie) Pagel, Cindy (Michael) Preisig and Pamela (Robert) Frei; many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Vernon; and brothers-in-law, Juan Vargas and Forrest "Twig" Kimmons.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM on Saturday, May 23rd at Trinity Evengelical Lutheran Church-ELCA, Town of Stettin. Pastor Phil Bogen will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow in the Stettin Christian Cemetery, Town of Stettin. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.