Betty J. Wagner

| October 29, 2014

Betty J. Wagner, 91, of Venus, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at Highland Oaks in Shippenville, surrounded by her loving family.

Born November 22, 1922, in Sligo, Pa., she was the daughter of John Deitz and Anna Howe Deitz.

Betty was a resident of the Venus area most of her life, and she was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Venus.

She was married January 15, 1942, to John A. Wagner who preceded her in death on December 29, 2007.

Betty and her husband, John, owned and operated Wagner Grocery, in Venus, until the business was sold to their son Larry Wagner (aka Slugger). Betty and John also operated a bookkeeping and income tax service. In 1974, they began keeping books for Jim Kerle, owner of Kerle Tire, and they continued the service until John’s death. Through the years, Jim was more than a client to them, he became a friend, a confidante, a son.

Betty had many hobbies, but her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spent hours talking about their accomplishments, their vacations, and their dreams. All this was possible because of the amount of time that the children spent with her. She was always filled with hope and encouragement, and the children were drawn to her greatest gift – her sense of understanding. Betty had an extraordinary way of making everyone feel special; she was always someone that a family member knew they could depend on.

Betty also enjoyed cooking, reading, crocheting, and taking care of her daughter Jeanie. Prior to John’s death, as a devoted wife, she watched every Pirates’ baseball game and every Steelers’ football game with him. She also spent many hours playing cards with family and friends.

Betty looked forward to her daily phone call from her sister Ruth. As well as being a sister, Ruth was Betty’s best friend.

She will be missed dearly by her eight children and their families.

Her daughter Mary Ann Wagner, of Shippenville; grandson Michael Beers, great-granddaughter Jessica (husband Chris) and great-great granddaughter Tara, great-grandson Michael Jr. (wife Suzanne), and great-grandsons Joshua and Cody; granddaughter Lisa Smith; granddaughter Lori Goralczyk (husband Russ) and granddaughters Krista and Margot; grandson Edward Smith (wife Jill), great-granddaughter Maria and great-grandson Gregory.

Her son John Wagner (wife Mary) of Kingwood, Texas; granddaughter Jodi Zajac (husband Matt), granddaughter Heidi Riggs (husband Chris) and great-grandsons Alex, Zach, and Mikey; and grandson Jeffrey Wagner (fiance Amber).

Her daughter Betty Jean (Jeanie) Wagner, of Shippenville.

Her son Larry “Slugger” Wagner (wife Sara) of Venus; granddaughter Tammy Cayir (husband Yavuz), great-granddaughter Deniz, and great-grandson Emre; granddaughter Tina Herrmann (husband Mark), great-granddaughter Sarah, great-grandson Clemens, and great-granddaughter Josie; grandson Larry “Slugger Jr.” Wagner Jr. (wife Tina) and great-grandsons Tyler and Brandon, and great-granddaughters Hannah and Katie.

Her daughter Ruthie (husband Don) Niederriter, of Shippenville; granddaughter Julie Best (husband Brad), great-grandson John, great-granddaughter Ruthie, and great-grandson Ben; granddaughter Jackie Bauer (husband Scott) and great-granddaughters Haley and Katie.

Her son Bruce Wagner (wife Marty), of Franklin; grandson Eric; granddaughter Alyssa (husband Art), great-grandson Seth and great-granddaughter Gracy; and grandson Jesse (wife Melissa), great-grandsons Devin and Owen.

Her daughter Joanne Bauer (companion Larry Young), of Shippenville; grandson John Henry Bauer (wife Stephanie), great-granddaughter Payton and great-grandson Gage; grandson Matthew Bauer (wife Mary), great-grandsons Zachary and Myron, and great-granddaughter Isadora; and grandson Jason “Jake” Bauer.

Her foster daughter Darlene Acklin, of Franklin, granddaughter Leanne (companion Mike), great-granddaughters Gloria and Emma; granddaughter Carrie; and granddaughter Amy, and great-granddaughter Maya.

Betty is also survived by her sister Ruth Rex, of Polk, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John and her siblings: Margaret (Mae), Bill, Lewis, Charles (Chuck), Clara, Edna, Elmer (Tub), Ida, Mary, Laura, John, Albert, Ronald (Pug), and Evelyn.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 on Friday, October 31, 2014, at the Faller Funeral Home Inc. in Fryburg. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church, Venus, with Pastor John Wood officiating. Burial will be in the Shippenville Lutheran Cemetery following the service.

The family suggests memorials be made to In Home Solutions Plus Hospice Program, WRC Senior Services, 985 Route 28, Brookville, PA 15825 or Faith Lutheran Church, Venus, Pa.

Please visit www.fallerfuneralhome.com to share your memories and photos and offer your condolences.


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Category: Obituaries