Gary Aloysius Popel, 84, of Paxton, IL passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 7, from 5-8 pm at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E Pells St., Paxton. The rosary will be recited at 4 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Wednesday, December 8, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 407 W. Pells St., Paxton, with the Rev. Dong Van Bui officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cemetery, Paxton with military honors by Paxton American Legion Prairie Post 150.

Gary was born November 21, 1937, in Freeport, the son of Aloysius Anthony (Ollie) Popel and Grace Ruby (Kuhlemeyer) Popel. Gary attended Holy Cross Grade School in Stockton and graduated from Pearl City High School in 1955. He attended the University of Illinois for one year. He then served our country as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. After leaving the Army, he attended Illinois State Normal University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1962.

While in college, Gary met and married Judith Ann Jepsen, the daughter of Joseph and Hilda Bourgeois Jepsen. They were married September 2, 1961 at Maternity BVM Catholic Church in Bourbonnais. They moved to Paxton in January of 1962.

He is survived by his wife Judy, three daughters Anne Marie (Wayne) Leonard of Bowling Green, KY, Therese Marie (David) Wyman of Bayles Lake, and Margaret Mary "Peggy" (Richard) Seibring of Paxton. Gary is survived by 8 grandchildren: Amanda (Caleb) Lemoine of Huntersville, NC, Jeffrey (Kiley) Leonard of Bowling Green, KY, Jenna Seibring of Loda, Kristen (Kyle) Vogel of Ellsworth and Justin (Taylor) Burnett, Jase (Amanda) Popel, Brad Seibring, Cody (Beth) Wyman all of Paxton; 20 great-grandchildren: Campbell, Baylor, and Blakey Lemoine; Jacob, John Paul, and Luke Leonard; Dylan, Drew, and Ethan Wyman; Ashlynn and Reagan Vogel; Kyler, Konnor, Kase, and Kolins Burnett; Karleigh (Will) Pound, Jordyn and Landyn Buhrmaster, Madyx Popel and Maleigha Harris. He also had two great-great granddaughters Ryleigh and Maverick Pound.

Gary is also survived by two sisters, Nancy Elson of Canton, IL and Pricilla Gilbert of West Des Moines, IA and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandson Joseph Leonard.

Gary was hired as a business teacher at Paxton High School in 1962. After two years of teaching, Gary went to work for Schofield Soil Service as the Office Manager. The business sold to Custom Farm Service in 1966 and Gary became the District Accountant. In 1970, he transferred to Atlanta, GA as a Supervisor of Accounting and was later promoted to Executive Manager. In 1973, he purchased the fertilizer plant in Paxton and for the next 28 years he owned and operated Popels' Ag Center until retiring in 2001.

Gary served his community in many ways. He was a Paxton fireman, serving as Chief for several years, and also served as a trustee for the Paxton Fire Protection District. He was a member of the Ford County Board, Chamber of Commerce, and Paxton Community Sale Board. He served as treasurer for the PBL Food Pantry, Paxton Foundation and Save Our Pool committee. Gary won the Paxton Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award in 2000.

Gary was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he was a lector, server, and Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 8229, where he served as Grand Knight for two years. He was also a member of the Divine Mercy Assembly of 4th Degree Sir Knights and served as the Faithful Navigator for two years.

Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed golfing, playing poker, flying his airplane, traveling, and playing music. Gary and several friends formed the band "The Pitiful Pickers" and played at nursing homes, special events, and even at fairs. Gary loved attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren and spending time with his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Grand Old Flag Project in care of The Frederick Community Bank, 106 N. Market St., Paxton, IL 60957. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.