Leroy L. “Curlie” Wagner of Plainwell died Saturday, Oct. 21.
Curlie was born Dec. 14, 1932, in North Dorr; the son of George and Barbara (Donokowski) Wagner. A farmer, Curlie was also a loyal employee of Eaton Corporation in Battle Creek for 31 years, Curlie enjoyed fishing and hunting, but working hard on the farm was important to him. A member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Curlie served as a janitor there and helped to build the new church.
At age 16, Curlie started working at Lockshore Farms, where he met the love of his life; the former Shirley M. Seivert, and he proposed on Valentine’s Day, 1950. They were married May 9, 1950, in North Dorr and Shirley preceded him in death on Sept. 23, 2006.
Curlie is survived by children: Diana (Douglas) Collard, Phillip (Lola) Wagner, Pamela VanSpyker, a daughter in law: Karen Wagner, brothers: R. Jay Wagner and Robert “Bob” (Gloria) Wagner, sisters: Joan Woolston, Jean (Jack) VanVolkinburg, and June (Don) Hunter, a sisters in law: Beverly Wagner and Jane Wagner, eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Curlie also was preceded in death by his parents, a son: Michael, a daughter and son in law: Suzanne (Carl) Bierema, a son in law: Gerald VanSpyker brothers: Delmar, Roger, Melvin and Lionel “Hank” Wagner, and a sister: Esther Homrich.
Curlie’s family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Williams-Gores Funeral Home, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at St Ann Catholic Church, 126648 East D Ave, Augusta, Rev. Fr. Francis Marotti, celebrant. Burial will take place in Cressey Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be appreciated.
