John Robert Kagel

April 25, 1918 - Oct. 4, 1996

John Robert Kagel, 78, of South Bend, Ind., died unexpectedly, at approximately 8 a.m., Friday, in his residence. Mr. Kagel retired as an executive with the South BendMishawaka Chamber of Commerce. He was born on April 25, 1918, in South Bend, and was a lifetime area resident.

On Dec. 20, 1947, in South Bend, he married Ann M. Giefing, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Cheryl A. Kagel and Beverly Kagel-O'Neil, both of South Bend, and Jill L. Neufeld of Naperville, Ill.; a son, John R. Kagel, Ph.D. of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and two grandchildren, Matthew W. Neufeld and Angela G. Neufeld of Naperville.

Mr. Kagel was a member of Masonic Lodge 294 F&AM, Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, Orak Shrine Temple and South Bend Shrine Club. He was a Sgt. Major in the Army during World War II. He belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 360 and American Legion Post 50, and had been on the board of directors for The Salvation Army, Military Honor Park and Area Plan Commission. Mr. Kagel was also active with the St. Joseph County Commanders Council, Air Force Association and Crime Stoppers. He served on numerous committees with the Chamber of Commerce, including the Aviation Committee, and Transportation Committee. He was the chamber community liaison for economic development in South Bend. He also served as head of the Downtown South Bend Council, and was instrumental in the fight to save the South Shore passenger service in South Bend. Following World War II, he was active with the former South Bend Journal, and was the publisher of Kagel's Directory.

Funeral services for Mr. Kagel will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., South Bend. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery where military honors will be performed by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 360. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m., today, in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

09/23/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191717981/john-robert-kagel