James Duane Pagel, 85, a Bancroft native and former Mosinee resident, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia while under the care of North Central Healthcare.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Beste Funeral Home in Mosinee, with the Rev. Marilyn Lange officiating. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mosinee.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the services.

Condolences may be offered online at www.bestefh.com.

Mr. Pagel was born Oct. 19, 1931, in Bancroft, a son of the
late Clarence and Margaret “Manley” Pagel. In 1949, he graduated from Nathan
Hale High School in West Allis, where he was on the varsity basketball team and
varsity baseball team.

In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and served
as a wireman in Japan and reached the rank of corporal. He was released from
active duty in March of 1954 to the reserves until March of 1960 at which time
he received an honorable discharge and the National Defense Services Korean
Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

He was married to Barbara Meler May 15, 1954, in Milwaukee.
She preceded him in death.

They resided in Milwaukee.

He was employed at Otis Elevators and later joined
partnership with his dad and brother-in-law to form Pagel Hydraulics in
Milwaukee. In 1975, he moved to Mosinee to open his own business, J. D. Pagel
Inc.

He had his own saw mill and grew ginseng for 10 years.

Survivors include one daughter, Karen (Richard) Spatz, Mosinee; one granddaughter, Rebecca (Bryan Fagan)
Spatz, Mosinee; and four great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one son, James Jr.; and other
family members.