Obituary of Jane Elizabeth Nagel

Jane Elizabeth Nagel, 88, of the Weeks Road in Panama, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2020 at Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing. She was born September 4, 1931 in the family home in Mayville, NY, the youngest child of the late Alec Wayne and Ruth Chandler Perkins. Jane attended school through the 11th grade in Panama, NY, and graduated from Rayen High School in Youngstown, Ohio. She was the widow of Bryan D. Nagel, whom she married May 19, 1951 in the United Methodist Church in Bear Lake, Pennsylvania. For 50 years, she owned and operated with her late husband, their dairy farm on Weeks Road. She also drove a school bus in Panama for 28 years and together with her husband Bryan's 33 years driving, they had a combined 61 years as school bus drivers. Jane was a member of the Panama United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing the organ and was mostly self-taught. Jane was a lover of all in the natural world. She would call her children from all over the house or the yard to view a sunset, an unusual bird or an intriguing cloud formation. The house she built on the original farmland after Bryan passed was positioned so she could view the sunsets and fields they had cultivated. She took great pleasure in feeding and identifying birds in her yard and on her feeders, particularly humming birds, which were her favorite. She was a woman of many talents who never would be idle. As a disciplined seamstress, she sewed school dresses for her daughters and granddaughters which were lovingly passed down. She knitted countless mittens, baby blankets and the occasional sweater for her children, grandchildren and church family. She loved sports and watching her children and grandchildren participate, never missing a Panama game, and always rooting for the Panthers. One wanted to be on her cornhole team at family picnics and she arranged bowling in the front yard. Golf was something she enjoyed with friends and family. She was also quite the marksman and kept her vegetable and flower gardens safe. Jane hosted all the family gatherings in all seasons. She taught the grandchildren how to make homemade butter, her baked beans were a staple at picnics and the cookie jar was always filled with "The Best" chocolate chip cookies. Jane was a force who will be greatly missed. Surviving are three children: Paula (Pete) McCordic of Katy, TX, Patricia (George) Petrella of Brocton, NY and Richard (Julie) Nagel of Panama; eight grandchildren: Christopher Blose, Julie Knowles, Jason Nagel, Andrea Rish, Carlyn Petrella, Jessica Petrella, Jenna Rappold and Olivia Nagel; and 15 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Linda Nagel Malcolm and Dorothy Nagel; and several nieces, nephews and grand- nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Bryan, who passed away April 3, 2002, she was preceded in death by her son, David and three brothers: Leo Duane Perkins, who was killed in action while aboard the destroyer USS Holder on April 11, 1944, Marvin Perkins and Alec Perkins; and two sisters: Martha Ann Zouck and Margaret Ireland. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Heritage Green's Parkside Unit for their loving care of Jane in her final months of life, as well as the Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care team who supported Jane and the family. A private family graveside service will be held in the Panama Union Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Steven Taylor. Visitation will not be observed. Memorials may be made to Panama United Methodist Church, 22 E. Main St., Panama, NY 14787; or Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.