Obituary of Elizabeth "Liz" Moye Nagel

Elizabeth Moye “Liz” Nagel, 97, died on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Elizabeth was born June 5, 1926 on a farm near Hettick, Illinois, the daughter of George M. and Ruth E. (Quick) Adams. She was baptized soon afterwards at the Methodist Church in nearby Barr Township. After a few years in Carlinville, Elizabeth moved with her parents to the family farm east of Girard. Elizabeth attended the Pleasant Dale country school before entering Girard Community High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1945, a year later than planned due to an epidemic that required a quarantine of the family farm. During high school, Elizabeth played tenor saxaphone in the band and participated in other school activities. Following her graduation from high school, Elizabeth took a job with International Harvester in Springfield, commuting on the Interurban train dubbed the “Dinky” by fellow commuters. In 1949, Elizabeth married Arthur Nagel a few years after his return from service with the Marine Corps in World War II. They lived briefly in Springfield before returning to Girard, where they spent most of their married life. Following her marriage, Elizabeth attended Trinity Lutheran Church with her husband, being received as a communicant member in 1958. To supplement the family income, Elizabeth took in ironing for other families in Girard before working part-time at Rose’s Cafe and later at Deck’s Drug Store, where she spent fifteen happy years behind the soda fountain making cherry Cokes and other treats for the regular customers. In 1980, Liz and Art began attending First Assembly of God in Virden, Illinois, later joining this congregation. They continued supporting the church, renamed Prairie Temple, when it relocated from East Jackson Street to its present location north of Virden. Elizabeth is survived by her three children: Kathie (James) Ellis, Marty (Barb) Nagel, and John (Patti) Nagel. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Jennifer Ward Ellis, Michael Ellis, Ben Ellis, Amanda Nagel, Elissa Nagel, Kyle Nagel, Nicholas Nagel, Matthew Nagel, and Emily Nagel. Great-grandchildren: Malaki Chatmon, Liliana Ward, Nicolas Ward, Levi Ellis, Samuel Ellis, Grace Ellis, Serenity Horton, Maci Nagel, Elliot Nagel, Ezra Nagel and Felix Orama. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Rosella Adams and Phyllis Adams. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Art, her parents, her brothers (Robert Adams, George Adams, Dean Adams, and Roy Adams), and many other beloved relatives. Elizabeth was a woman of deep faith and love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well as for her family and many loved ones. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 28, 10:00 AM, at Prairie Temple Assembly of God in Virden, with the funeral service following at 11:30 AM. host Pastor Mark Connour and Pastor David Bowlby will preside. Burial will be at the Girard Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Girard Community Center or the Girard Fire and Rescue. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Girard is in charge of arrangements.