Arthur L Pagel

Saukville WI

Arthur Lester Pagel, Jr., age 86, of Saukville, died peacefully on June 4, 2025 at his home. He was born May 12, 1939, son of the late Arthur & Leona (Duchow) Pagel. He married Janice Welch on January 21, 1965, and together they raised three daughters. 

Art was born in Chilton, Wisconsin, and was a graduate of Chilton High School, but lived most of his life in Saukville, Wisconsin. 

Art joined the United States Air Force in 1956 and was a Crew Chief on a C57. Art was extremely proud of his service to his country and spoke fondly of his time while he was stationed in Japan. 

Art spoke much about his career as a Local 8 Union Iron Worker. One of the many buildings he worked on was the First Wisconsin Building, the tallest building in Milwaukee. He went on to work for Vern & Tom Heinz of Heinz Door Company in Brookfield, still as an iron worker, but he no longer “walked the iron”. Art remained a steadfast employee of Heinz’s until his retirement in April of 2000 

Art and Janice spent their whole married lives traveling the United States and Canada collecting and dealing in antiques. Art liked anything horse drawn, and funeral related items were his greatest love. He is known far and wide for his knowledge of anything horse drawn and his vast collection of funeral vehicles, accessories and memorabilia. Art would also be sought out to give appraisals for museums and for personal insurance purposes. It is amazing how many friends he has forged throughout the years in the antique / carriage / horse world. 

Anything to do with horses, carriages and antiques was a great part of Art’s life with Janice and ”the girls” - getting together with the Rolling Rims Buggy Club to hook up the horses and go for a drive; running the carriage end of Topeka Carriage and Livestock Auction; co operating Peddlers Antique Show; Pagel’s Livery - where they would arrange for horse drawn sleigh rides, wedding contingents, partaking in the Circus Parade in Milwaukee as well as other horse and carriage events. 

Art and Janice enjoyed time at their cottage in Crivitz, WI, looking out on the lake, spending time with his two grandchildren, who were so important to him. He loved planting trees, making firewood, driving his golf cart through the woods, feeding the fish/deer and watching the wildlife. Art and Janice were able to get up there one more time in November of 2024. 

Art is survived by his wife: Janice; his children: Sheri (Dan) Guse, Cindy (Dan) Molter, Nicki (Joe) Greeley; his beloved grandchildren Corey & Leah Guse; and his dog Oscar. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Art was preceded in death by his parents: Arthur & Leona Pagel, his parents-in-law: Platt & Esther Welch, sister and brother in law: Alyce and Jerry Everix, niece: Dawn Everix, nephew: Danny (Mike) Everix, as well as other uncles, aunts, and cousins. 

Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton.  Burial will follow in the St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Chilton.  A time of visitation will be held at the Wieting Family Funeral Home from 1:00 pm until 2:45 pm on Thursday, June 19, 2025.  

Art’s family would like to send out a special ‘Thank You’ to all of his amazing caregivers. This would especially be directed toward Tina, Kim, Lynne, Maggie, Ashley, Kerri. JoAnn and Jill. Their loving care allowed Art to be able to stay in his home the last couple of years, which, at the end of the day, was his wish. Your loving care and compassion that was shown to Art and his entire family will never be forgotten. The caregivers will remain on to take care of Janice.