Ida Nell Wargel

January 3, 1942 - December 31, 2021

Ida Nell Wargel, age 79, of Marion, IL, passed away peacefully at 5:50 a.m., on Friday, December 31, 2021, in the Reflections Memory Care Residence of Carterville, IL. She was born on January 3, 1942, in Harrisburg, IL, the daughter of William and Helen (Abney) Mitsdarffer. Ida Nell grew up and attended school in Ridgway, IL, and was a graduate of Ridgway High School Class of 1960. She continued with her education at Southern Illinois University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1967, and completed her Master’s Degree in 1973. She was united in marriage to Robert E. “Bob” Wargel on Saturday, June 10, 1967, in Ridgway, IL, and together shared over fifty-four years of marriage. Ida Nell taught elementary education for twenty years, teaching in Du Quoin, Harrisburg, Unity Point of Carbondale, with the last eleven years at Washington Elementary School in Marion. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, distributing Holy Communion to the homebound and ill parishioners. She also was a member of the St. Joseph Parish Women’s Guild, Marion Lioness Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was a life member of the Southern Illinois University Alumni Association in Carbondale. She volunteered at the Literacy Center of John A. Logan College and the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Center. She enjoyed being outdoors with her dogs and walking. Also enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking and baking for all the holidays, spending time with family and friends, especially her Canasta Card Group and attending SIU basketball games. Ida Nell is survived by her husband, Robert E. “Bob” Wargel of Marion; daughter, Melinda Veller and husband, Jeff of Salem, IL; sister, Mary Lee Saunders and husband, Bill of Carmi, IL; special cousin who was raised with Ida Nell, Margaret “Margie” Aydt of Evansville, IN; brother-in-law, Charles Wargel and wife, Mary Beth of Equality, IL, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, William and Ida Mitsdarffer and Grover and Nellie Abney and sister-in-law, Jean Wargel. Arrangements were entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion. The visitation was on Monday, January 10, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 600 North Russell Street, Marion, IL. During the time of visitation, a “Reflection of Life” DVD Memorial Tribute featuring special people, places and events in Ida Nell’s life was presented to the family and friends. Following the time of visitation, the Memorial Funeral Mass of Christian Bural was at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Father Brian Barker presiding with the eulogy presented by Thomas Wargel. Others participating in the Mass were, Patricia Heckel as Cantor; Jane Otte as Organist; Donna Scheppe and Eleanor Naas as Lectors; Carl Sternberg as Sacristan; Joe Marlo and Sheila Dingrando as Alter Servers and Carolyn Middleton as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Presentation of the Gifts were by Robert Wargel, Melinda Veller and Mary Lee Saunders. Special hymns presented during the Mass were, “How Great Thou Art”, “Here I Am Lord”, “The Lord’s Prayer”, “I Am the Bread of Life” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Also presented was the special hymn “All the Roads” by Father Brian Barker who accompanied himself on the piano. Following the time of communion Patricia Heckel presented the special musical selection “Ave Maria” with organist, Jane Otte accompanying. At the conclusion of the Mass, Ida Nell’s husband, Robert carried the urn from the church to the hearse and from the hearse to the gravesite at the cemetery. Following the service in Marion, the family and friends gathered at St. Joseph’s Family Life Center for a meal and fellowship before going to the cemetery. Family and friends gathered at 1:45 p.m., at St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway, IL and proceeded to St. Joseph Cemetery with Monsignor Joseph Lawler presiding over inurnment at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were made to one of the following, “St. Joseph Catholic Church” of Marion, “American Parkinson Disease Association”, “Alzheimer’s Association” or “Hospice of Southern Illinois”. The family expressed a special thanks to the staffs of Bounce Back Program at Parkway Manor and Reflections Memory Care for their loving care of Ida Nell during the past year. For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.