Roger L. Hagel

Roger Lyle Hagel, 79, of Washington, IL, formerly of Bartonville, IL, passed away on February 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, IL; and Nicole Hagel of Galva, IL; five step-children: Dirk (Stephanie) Hoerr of Oak Park, IL; Danelle (Dave) Herrera of Bloomington, IL; Brooke (Vidyha) Hoerr of Chicago, IL; Grant (Kari) Hoerr of Park Ridge, IL; and Blake (Ashley) Hoerr of Florham Park, NJ; four grandchildren: Amanda DeArmond of Morton, IL; Brittney Wright of Washington, IL; Tommy Hagel and Jody Pickett of Galva, IL; and 10 step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Tod (Sharon) Hagel of Bartonville, IL; sister Lois Pucelik of Kickapoo, IL; 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 5-7 p.m. with a Celebration of Life ceremony afterwards at Mason Funeral Home in Washington on Friday, February 5, 2016. Memorials may be made to the Salem 4 Youth, 15161 N. 400 East Rd., Flanagan, IL 61740. Notes of condolences for the family may be sent using www.masonfuneralhomes.com