Published on January 12, 2026 6:40 pm
Last Updated on January 12, 2026 6:43 pm
Larry Keith Pagel, Sr., 86, of Effingham, Illinois passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral service will be held at Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM with viewing one hour prior to the start of service. Interment will follow at Edgewood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois. Pastor Mike Durre will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.pagelfuneralhome.com.
Larry was born June 30, 1939, in Clay County, Illinois, the son of Marvin and Ruby (Stortzum) Pagel. He married Cheryl Elaine Ragle on October 19, 1957 in Effingham, and shared 63 years together before her passing in 2020. Larry passed his happiest times gardening, hunting, and farming. He was a true conservationist, and thoroughly enjoyed nature. Larry was such a friendly, kind soul who loved and enjoyed time with his family and friends. He worked as a Regional Air Manager for the United Parcel Service, managing the largest air operation in the country. He worked for UPS for over 30 years, ultimately retiring in 1994. Before then, he worked doing carpentry and building houses for many years. And when he retired, he never truly stopped working, passing time working around his farm.
Larry is survived by his sons, Larry Pagel, Jr. of Edgewood, Illinois, and Jerry (Connie) Pagel of Illiopolis, Illinois; daughters, Sheree (Tim) Limes of Effingham, Illinois, and Tereca (Dave) Korf of North Aurora, Illinois; 10 grandchildren, Carissa, Melissa, Nicole, Heather, Leigh, Rebecca, Megan, Keith, Nathaniel, and Frank; 14 great-grandchildren, Blake, Kaylee, Kyle, Peyton, Dane, Alex, Jaycee, Stella, Gavin, Clara, Maverick, Emma, Willow, and Maddux; and one great-great-grandchild, Julius; brother, Rick (Guyla) of Brownstown, Illinois; sisters, Velma Siefker of Tallahassee, Florida, Vernabell Lankford of Effingham, Illinois, and Jan Pagel of Effingham, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl; parents, Marvin and Ruby Pagel; great-granddaughter Ruby Ann; and his brothers, Ronald Pagel and Floyd Pagel.