Former Maria Stein resident, Luella B. Gagel, 93, died at 5:20 p.m. April 12, 2009, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community.

She was born June 19, 1915, in Burkettsville to William and Thecla Nau Hemmelgarn. On Feb. 9, 1946, she married Wilbert "Bill" Gagel, who died Nov. 26, 1981.

Surviving are a son, Donald (Janice) Gagel, New Bremen; two daughters, Roselyn Mercuri, Centerville, and Janet (Mark) Dilley, Bradenton, Fla.; a brother-in-law, Bob Zimmer, Beavercreek; a sister-in-law, Kitty Hemmelgarn, Dayton; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a son-in-law, Joe Mercuri; and siblings, Eleanor Schenking, George Garn, Frances Severt, Mary Grilliot, Ursula Barga, Alfred Hememlgarn, Agnes Zimmer, and Hilda Catanzaro.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and its Ladies Sodality and the American Legion Auxiliary, all in Maria Stein. She was the first president of the American Legion Auxiliary and co-founder of Gagel Plumbing and Heating, Minster.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. Gene Schnipke officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Contributions can be made to Otterbein St. Marys.