OBITUARY: John G. Wagner

John G. Wagner, age 93, of Wayside, formerly of Reedsville and Wrightstown, passed away on Monday, May 28, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his family.

John was born on September 20, 1924 in St. Nazianz, son of the late Albert and Mary (Griese) Wagner.  He served our county in the United States Army from 1944-1946 during World War II in the 158th Bushmaster’s Company in the Philippians and Japan.  On May 29, 1948, he married Dorothy Wilhelm in Maple Grove.  She preceded him in death on February 13, 1995.  He then met and married Florence (Rahn) Brandt on July 1, 1997 in Wrightstown.  John had a lengthy career, starting at Sorge Dairy in Manitowoc, working at the Brillion Iron Works for 11 years, working construction at Gabe and Bahr until his retirement in 1986, and owning and operating Wagner’s Bar in Reedsville.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a volunteer Fire Fighter for Brillion and Reedsville, was a member of the Labor Union Local 330 for over 50 years, was a member of the AmVets Post 1032 and the American Legion Post 199 of Reedsville, was a member of the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Reedsville, a current member of Holy Family Parish in Brillion, and was able to go on the 2010 Old Glory Honor Flight.  John enjoyed traveling with both Dorothy and Florence, visiting his daughter in California and his son in Texas, playing in card clubs and birthday clubs, golfing, fishing, watching the Packers and the Cubs play, his deer hunting group, the ‘Nicolet Swamp Hunters,’ and going on bus trips.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

John is survived by his wife Florence of Wayside, his children: Gail Ryan (Chuck Taylor) of CA; Gary (Donna) of TX; a daughter-in-law: JoAnn of Two Rivers; step-children: Gary (Jean) Brandt of Wrightstown, Gregory (Karen) Brandt of De Pere, and John (Mary) Brandt of Kimberly; grandchildren: Peter (Amanda), Pati (Chad) Berardi, Polly (JR) Birkhead, Jennifer (Nathan) Magnon, Jessica (Luke) Raymond, all of Texas, Joann (Andy) Artrip of Ohio, and TJ Wagner of Two Rivers; step-grandchildren: Nicole (Alan) Busse and Kyle (Cassie) Stegemann, all of Two Rivers; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchilden; in-laws: Loraine Wilhelm, Delores Wilhelm, Rita (Jim) Brochtrop, Kay Wilhelm, Wilmer (Jan) Rahn, Darlene (Tom) Behling, and Alan (Wendy) Rahn; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law, his first wife, Dorothy, one son, Timothy, 8 brothers, 2 sisters, and other in-laws.

Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church.  Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Timothy Brandt.  Military honors will be accorded by the AmVets Post 1032 of Reedsville. Entombment will be at Knollwood Mausoleum, town of Kossuth.

Friends may call Wednesday evening, June 6, 2018 at the church from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  A prayer service will conclude.  The visitation will continue on Thursday morning at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be made.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Wayside Parkside Estates and Unity Hospice for their care and compassion.

Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion and Reedsville assisted the family.