Hagel, Roger Lyle

Roger Lyle Hagel, Major, USAF (Retired)
July 10, 1936 – February 01, 2016

WASHINGTON – Roger Lyle Hagel, 79, of Washington, Ill., formerly of Bartonville, Ill., passed away Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at Reflections in Washington, surrounded by his family.

Roger was born July 10, 1936, in Peoria to Lyle and Marie (Hunt) Hagel. He married Carolyn Jo Elder on May 6, 1965. She preceded him in death on April 1, 1992. He married LaVerne Wilson in December of 1995. She survives. Also surviving are his three children, Leslie (Mark) Brozovich of Camp Zama Army Base, Japan, Joi (Blake) DeArmond of Morton, Ill., and Nicole Hagel of Galva, Ill.; five stepchildren, Dirk (Stephanie) Hoerr of Oak Park, Ill., Danelle (Dave) Herrera of Bloomington, Ill., Brooke (Vidyha) Hoerr of Chicago, Ill., Grant (Kari) Hoerr of Park Ridge, Ill., and Blake (Ashley) Hoerr of Florham Park, N.J.; four grandchildren, Amanda DeArmond of Morton, Ill., Brittney Wright of Washington, Ill., and Tommy Hagel and Jody Pickett of Galva, IL; and 10 step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Tod (Sharon) Hagel of Bartonville, Ill.; sister, Lois Pucelik of Kickapoo, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

Roger graduated from the first class at Limestone High School. He then went on to receive a Business degree from Bradley University in Peoria and was in the ROTC program there. He entered the United States Air Force upon graduating. He retired as a Major in the Air Force/Air National Guard in 1980 after 20 years of service as a fighter pilot and air rescue helicopter pilot.

He owned and operated the Washington Courier, Morton Courier and Woodford Courier in Tazewell and Woodford counties, bringing his daughters into the family business as well. He took great pride in providing family-owned community “good news” newspapers.

Besides spending time with his family, he dearly loved spending time with his Arabian horses. Throughout his life he volunteered with several organizations, including the Heart of Illinois Arabian Horse Club, the Illinois Arabian Horse Club and PARC. He enjoyed attending the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Shows, National Arabian Horse Shows in Oklahoma, Kentucky and New Mexico with his daughters and son-in-law, Blake DeArmond.

He was honored with the Washingtonian of the Year Award in 2006. He was a member of the Washington and Morton Chamber of Commerce.

Throughout his adult life he enjoyed traveling, biking, the outdoors and going on trail rides with his dear friends and family.

Roger is best known to friends and business acquaintances for his fairness, integrity, honesty and his warm smile. He will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with a celebration of life ceremony afterwards at Mason Funeral Home in Washington today, Feb. 5, 2016.

Memorials may be made to the Salem 4 Youth, 15161 N. 400 East Road, Flanagan, IL 61740.

Notes of condolences for the family may be sent using www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Published in Peoria Journal Star from Feb. 4 to Feb. 5, 2016 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/PJStar/obituary.aspx?n=Roger-Hagel&pid=177589671#sthash.AORRap9x.dpuf

~ GUEST BOOK ~

May 12, 2016
To his three girls: Our belated condolences on the loss of your Father. It seems like only yesterday that we were all at the Washington Courier, late nights and all. We lost Dad in ’90 and Mom in ’97. We feel for what you are going through. God’s Blessings,
~
Kalynn & Ron Blum, Chino, CA

March 01, 2016
I miss you Dad so much
~
Nikki Hagel, Galva, Illinois

February 11, 2016
To all of the Hagel family, we are sorry for your loss. Mr. Hagel obviously served this great country and his entire community with great pride! He will be greatly missed! Bill and the entire Bontz family
~
Bill Bontz,
Bartonville, Illinois

February 06, 2016
We are sorry for your loss. “The Theresa Miller Family”. Larry Miller, Barbara Fahel, Mary Ragains, L.J. Miller, Joan Miller, Rita Ernst, Ray Miller, Phyllis DeWaarde, & Vincent Miller.
~
Barbara Fahel, Peoria, Illinois
 
February 06, 2016
Laverne, Doug and I send our condolences to you and the family. God be leased Roger with an amazing life. Take care, Bejie

February 04, 2016
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
~
Anita Alberssen,
Ft Myers, Florida

February 04, 2016
~
Joanna Hotzler, Morton, Illinois

February 04, 2016
Nicole, thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this time. We bought a puppy from you several years ago and you spoke highly of your dad. Deepest sympathy
~
Jill Springer, Metamora, Illinois

February 04, 2016
Laverne, Sending prayers and my sincere condolence in Rogers’ passing. He was a very good man.
God Bless, Bonnie
~
Bonnie Coventry, St. Cloud, Florida

February 04, 2016
“Another Giant in Heaven” Mary E. Eschelbach
When I heard of your loved one passing, I was sad. I sat a while and thought of Roger, How we met and how he allowed me to grow. I also thought of his family, how they cared and how they grew with his ability to lead them. I wrote a few lines to remind me of him,

Another giant in heaven!
Up, up and away!; High Flyer!
And in those quiet moment, I was happy.
Happy that Roger was home,
Happy that he was able to rest in God’s presence.

Your father will never be forgotten.
He was a generous, talkative man.
The Roger I knew could be outspoken, too.

Go now, Roger, fly high and strong,
Because we loved you
and you will be missed.
February 3, 2016
~
Mary Eschelbach, Deer Creek, Illinois

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned

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