Earl W. Nagel

Earl W. Nagel, 102, of Red Bud, IL, died September 3, 2025, in Red Bud, IL. He was born January 13, 1923, in Red Bud, IL.

He is survived by his children Larry (Giovanna) Nagel, Connie (Bob) Esker, Cathy (Gary) Griffin, and Vickie Nagel; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Violet Nagel (nee Kunkel), son James Nagel, grandson Eric Allen Nagel, sister Lorraine (Paul) Junge, brother Robert (Fern) Nagel, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law William and JoAnn Kunkel.

He was a WWII submarine veteran. He was the son of Albert and Nelda Schriber, the oldest of 3 siblings. Earl enlisted in the Navy January 11, 1943 and reported to Great Lakes Recruit Training Command. After boot camp graduation, he attended Gunners Mate training school in Gulfport Mississippi. He then was assigned to the SS Charles Henderson a liberty ship as part of the United States Navy Armed Guard. Earl was assigned to the aft 5 inch 38 mount. During his time onboard, the ship made two deployments to ports in Hull England and Iran. While transiting the Atlantic in massive convoys, several ships were lost to enemy submarines and aircraft during each convoy, as much as half the fleet. He was put on delayed orders (30 days leave) and took the opportunity to marry Violet Marie Kunkel of Fults Illinois on December 23, 1944. His next assignment was submarine school New London CT. He attended submarine diesel school before reporting to USS Lizard Fish SS-373 commissioning crew. The submarine transited the Panama Canal and entered the Pacific ocean with stops at Pearl Harbor, Subic Bay, Saipan and numerous islands delivering supplies. Following initial entry into the combat theater, Earl made two combat patrols on the Lizard Fish, earning Submarine Combat pin. The submarine was tasked with entering various enemy ports to destroy enemy shipping, board saipans & destroy supplies and rescue down pilots. His last patrol was to Australia, Subic Bay war zone and then back to San Francisco. At the conclusion of the war, Earl was honorably discharged and returned home to Fults Illinois.

Earl was a member of the teamsters and Waterloo VFW.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:
Alzheimer's Association, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or Hospice of Southern Illinois

Visitation:
4 PM to 8 PM Friday, September 12, 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
9 AM to 10 AM Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL

Funeral Service:
10 AM Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery in Fults, IL