Robert J. Wagner, age 88, of Sheridan, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice.
As a lifelong dairy farmer, Bob understood the meaning of hard work, sacrifice, and doing whatever it took to get the job done. He and his wife, Mariel, worked together on their farm until they both retired. Bob loved his tractors, as long as it was a John Deere. He was a lifelong member of the Day Bethel Baptist Church in Stanton. Bob was also a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). He served as a trustee on the Evergreen Township board. When he wasn’t working, Bob enjoyed putting puzzles together, doing word searches, circle word finds, playing cards and he thoroughly enjoyed winning when he played. He was also an avid Detroit Tigers fan.
Surviving Bob is his wife of 66 years, Mariel (Beardslee) Wagner; daughters, Lori (Jerry) Dings of Pullman; Amy (Todd) Cornwell of Stanton; sons, Dean (Loren) Wagner of Belding; Jeff (Nikki) Wagner of Saline; grandchildren, Derek (Andrea) Wagner of Sheridan; Daden (Lesley) Wagner of Ferndale; great grandchildren, Braden and Landen; bonus son, Andy Ross (Mary Kohn) of Sheridan and their children, Kelsey Ross; Eva Ross; Sawyer Kohn and Kyle Tissue; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Phyllis & Bill Lacy of Sheridan, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger & Sue Wyckoff of Sun City Center, Florida; close family friends, Pam & Rudy Wetherington of Stanton; Bob’s lifelong and best friend, Ken (Pam) Ross of Sheridan.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest & Mary (Jensen) Wagner, brother and sister-in-law, Norman & Neva Wagner and his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia & Carlton Clark.
Bob’s life is being celebrated on Friday, September 18, 2020 at the Day Bethel Baptist Church in Stanton (2181 N. Wyman Road). Visitation is being held from 11 AM to 1 PM. Funeral ceremonies will begin at 1 PM with Pastor Eric Hagerman officiating. A graveside ceremony for Bob will be held at the Evergreen Township Cemetery starting at 2:30 PM.
For those wanting to make a memorial donation in Bob’s memory the family suggests you direct them to either Day Bethel Baptist Church or Spectrum Health Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church.