Mary Wagner

Mary H. Wagner, 91, of Bucyrus died Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Mill Creek Nursing & Rehab in Galion after a month-long illness.

She was born in East Liberty, Ohio on March 4, 1923 to the late John E. and Marcia Lee (Inskeep) Segner. A few years after her mother’s death in 1928, Mary was fostered by the late Alex and Lottie Newhouse of Ostrander, Ohio where she graduated from Ostrander High School in 1941. A year later, Mary enrolled at The Ohio State University where she studied Home Economics. While at OSU, Mary worked as a cook for the president of the university, Howard Bevis, both in Columbus and at his lake home in the summer of 1946. She was working the lunch counter during OSU’s Farmers Week when a young farmer from Bucyrus asked her to a square dance. A year and a half courtship ensued and she married Robert G. Wagner on August 2, 1947.

Mary worked as a Home Ec teacher in Marysville, North Robinson and Leesville before taking time to raise her young family. She then worked at Bucyrus City Schools and Fairway School from which she retired. In addition to teaching, she was a farm wife, running errands, getting parts and cooking great meals. She and Robert had the privilege of traveling all over the US and beyond, some favorites being their honeymoon to Cuba, serving as tour hosts to Alaska and their trip to Scandinavia. She also got to visit the Holy Land with her mother. Mary always had her knitting close at hand, whether on a drive in the car or at home. She was knitting right up until her recent hospital stay.

Mary was a member of Bucyrus United Methodist Church and the former Grace UMC where she was active in the Ever Faithful Sunday School class. She was a member of the Extension Homemakers Club, Farm Bureau Council, a 4-H Advisor, and 20-year cancer survivor.

Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years; their children, Lee Ann (Harold) Leonhard, Marty (Gary) Keck, Lary (Charlene) Wagner, Tom (Cheryl) Wagner and Richard (Joan) Wagner; 13 grandchildren, Larry (Emily) Leonhard, Duane (Julie) Leonhard, Dona (Lee) Rhea, Kori (Jerry) Daniels, Scot (Angie) Keck, Kent (Stephanie) Keck, Dan Wagner, Sara Wagner, Jodi Wagner (fiancé Lee Blubaugh), Darren Wagner, Crystal (Jeff) Miller, Amanda Wagner and David Wagner; 11 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Paul Wagner and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and foster parents, Mary was preceded in death by brothers, Lewis, Edwin and Kenneth Segner; foster brothers, Hollis and Robert Newhouse and sister-in-law, Lucille Wagner.

The Wagner family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 7 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Her funeral will be at 11:00 am on Thursday at Bucyrus UMC Worship Center with Pastor Mike Corwin officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery.

Memorial donation can be given to the Bucyrus UMC or American Cancer Society through Wise Funeral Service and memories can be shared in the Memorial Guestbook below.



Visitation:

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Thursday, January 8, 2015 11:00 a.m.

Bucyrus United Methodist Church, 227 S. Walnut St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Salem Cemetery, Bucyrus, Ohio