Frank James Wagner's Obituary
Frank J. Wagner, age 90, passed away peacefully at home, Monday, June 4, 2012. He was born January 11, 1922 near Vienna, Austria to Frank and Theresa Hotwagner. He came as an infant to the United States with his family and lived in Muskegon Heights. He was a 1940 graduate of Muskegon Heights High School. He honorably served his country during World War II as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force in the European theater, receiving the Presidential Unit Citation and five bronze battle stars. He married his life-long sweetheart, Theresa Melin on November 1, 1941 and they remained happily married for over 65 years until her death on January 18, 2007. He missed her deeply ever after. Frank was employed by Sealed Power since 1940 in various positions in the accounting department, eventually becoming the director of national warehousing and distribution operations. He then joined Joy Manufacturing in Michigan City, IN as assistant comptroller, retiring in 1985, whereupon he and his wife returned to enjoy their retirement in the Muskegon area. He was involved in many religious and civic activities. He was the co-chair of the Building Committee of Sacred Heart Church, president of the board of Catholic Social Services of Muskegon and a member of the executive committee of the Grand Rapids Diocesan Catholic Social Services. He was also the director of the Society for Better Hearing of Muskegon, on the board of directors for the Muskegon YMCA and a charter member of the Muskegon Area Development Committee. He served as chairman of the Muskegon/Muskegon Heights Consolidation Committee, on the Muskegon Heights Charter Commission and was a member of the Muskegon Heights City Council. He was a lifetime emeritus member of the National Association of Accountants. Frank enjoyed traveling extensively with his wife, golfing, bowling and following the fortunes of his favorite teams: the Chicago Cubs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Hotwagner, sisters, Rose Elwell and Ann Schelhas and brothers-in-law, Basil Elwell and Robert Schelhas. He is survived by his four children: Terri (Jim Walz) Wagner, Dennis Wagner, Mary (Dave Barton) Wagner and Mark (Cindy) Wagner; three granddaughters, Jane Barton, Sarah Wagner and Katie Wagner; sister-in-law, Florence; and many nieces and nephews in the Elwell, Lindsey, Hotwagner and Schelhas families. The MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church - Marian Chapel, Friday, June 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Fr. Philip P. Salmonowicz as celebrant. VISITATION will be Thursday, 6-8 p.m. at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100. Visitation will also be 1 hour prior to the Mass at church. Mr. Wagner will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Those desiring an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Francis de Sales Church or Harbor Hospice.
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