Gary Pagel

Gary Martin Pagel, son of the late Martin and Ruth (Berndt) Pagel, was born May 30, 1946, in Wausau, Wisconsin, and departed this life on July 7, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 79 years, 1 month, and 7 days.

Gary grew up on his grandparents' family farm with his sister and her two children. In 1964, he left the family farm to join the Army. He proudly served 2 years and 11 months during the Vietnam War before returning home to the family farm. He then took up a job as a truck driver. In 1969, he was united in marriage to Sue McDonald, and to this union two daughters were born. However, as life often presents, their paths eventually diverged, resulting in a divorce. Gary's call to serve the country was not over. In 1979, Gary reenlisted in the Army, proudly serving his country for an additional 7 years and 8 months before retiring in 1987. Later in life, Gary settled in Mansfield, Missouri, to be closer to his family.

Gary loved spending time with his family. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching movies, especially Star Wars and old westerns. Gary had a collection of over 100 old western movies. He was very proud of his model railroad. Every place that he lived, he would construct a “miniature city” built around his model railroad and loved to show it off. He also enjoyed hunting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Ruth Pagel, his sister, Mary Storm, his brother, Henry Pagel, his son-in-law, Robert “PC” Short, and one nephew, Eldred Pagel.

He is survived by his daughters, Marty Short and Dannette Pagel, his grandchildren, Michael Pagel, Amon Short, Becky Short, Brent Welch, and Alex Pagel-Foster, three great-grandchildren, Rosealie, Gideon, and Leo, as well as several nieces.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.