Connie Pagels, 73

Connie Ann Pagels, age 73, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2020, at her home.

She was born Dec. 27, 1946, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Adrian and Betty (Pass) Hawkins.

Connie resided most of her life in Burr Oak and was a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class of 1965.

On March 6, 1966, she married Roger H. Pagels at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. He preceded her in death Jan. 14, 2002.

Connie had been employed by Kirsch Company and Oak International, both in Sturgis, and retired from Sturgis Hospital, where she held the position of ward clerk on the third floor.

She was a member of Locust Grove Mennonite Church in Burr Oak, where she was baptized Sept. 27, 2015.

Connie was a 4-H leader and volunteer for more than 50 years with Courageous K-9s Club and also was a longtime member of Burr Oak Home Club. Connie had a love for Professional Bull Riding and she will be greatly missed by her bull-riding family. She loved time with family and could always be counted on to be in attendance at her grandchildren’s many activities and sporting events.

Connie is survived by two daughters, Diana (Kevin) Yeager of Centreville and Pamela (Corey) Keeslar of LaGrange; four grandchildren, Courtney (Joel) Miller of White Pigeon, Charity Yeager of Centreville, and Collin Keeslar and Conner Keeslar, both of LaGrange; a sister, Adrenna (Leo) LaMarca of Arizona; a brother, Terry (Bonnie) Hawkins of California; niece and nephews Lori Pagels of Goshen, David Baker of Washington, Sean Hawkins of California and Nicholas LaMarca of Arizona; and a sister-in-law, Beth Pagels of Coldwater.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a brother-in-law, James Pagels.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Locust Grove Mennonite Church, 29525 Findley Road, Burr Oak. Funeral services celebrating the life of Connie Pagels will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Pastors Bill Beck and Ross Weber will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Burr Oak Cemetery.

Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with arrangements.

The family suggests in honor of Connie’s love for bull-riding those wishing to make a memorial donation in her memory consider Western Sports Foundation, c/o Aubrey O’Quin, 101 W. Riverwalk, Pueblo, CO, 81003.

Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.