TAMA-Paul W. Pagel Jr., age 89, of Tama died on his birthday Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Private interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo at a future date. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 3 from 5 to 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Paul was born on May 1, 1921 in Riceville, Iowa, the son of Paul W. and Marion (Ellis) Pagel. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Tama through the eighth grade. He then attended Tama High School and graduated in 1939. While in high school, Paul was active in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduation he began working for the Tama Paper Mill. Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. He was united in marriage to Beulah E. McFate on December 16, 1943 in Washington, D.C. Paul served during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1945. Paul saw duty in the European Theatre and the South Pacific. Paul's time in the Navy was spent aboard the USS Samuel Chase APA-26. He returned to the paper mill in 1945 and retired from there in 1985. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Tama American Legion, and was a life member of the VFW.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and wife, Beulah in 1996.
Survivors include one brother, Ed Pagel of Sacramento, CA; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Virginia Wiese of Toledo.
A memorial fund has been established.