Everell V. Wagner

| December 2, 2017

Everell V. Wagner of Tionesta, PA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 30, 2017. He was 92.

Born in Oil City on April 19, 1925, he was the son of the late Charles and Olive (Wolfe) Wagner. Everell graduated from Tionesta High School and at the age of 19 enlisted in the United States Navy. A World War II veteran, he served from 1944-1946 as a Motor Machinist’s Mate on a minesweeper that took him around the world and to Japan.

On October 19, 1949, Everell married Janet Marie Johnston of Tionesta. For nearly 64 years, he was a loving and devoted husband as they made their home on the Wagner family farm, now in its fifth generation.

Hardworking, he owned and operated a dairy farm business for 25 years and later enjoyed raising calves and heifers. Along with his farming operation, Everell did general hauling and delivery with his own truck. For over 30 years, he was employed by A.P. Weaver & Sons, Fryburg, as a coal truck driver, while continuing to farm. At the age of 59, he traded his coal truck for a school bus, driving for the Forest Area School District for 21 years. All the while, he continued to help on the family farm.

Humble but resilient, Everell had a strong work ethic, which characterized him from his youth when he never missed a day of school through eighth grade. He passed this work ethic on to his children and grandchildren, along with a great appreciation for God’s creation. He was an avid walker and vegetable gardener, could fix anything, enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, and loved baking for family who came to visit.

Everell modeled contentment, service, and doing even the smallest things with excellence. Along with Janet, he enjoyed family gatherings at the farm, complete with hayrides, sleigh rides, and great food.

The center of Everell’s life was his Christian faith. He was devoted to the local church–serving for decades as a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, trustee, choir member, and in various leadership roles, first at Mt. Zion EUB Church in Red Brush, and more recently at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Leeper. A man of prayer, his well-worn Bibles and commentaries reflected his faith. His proudest legacy is that all of his children and grandchildren and their spouses are serving actively in their churches.

He was a dedicated volunteer for the Forest County Extension Service, serving many years as a 4-H leader and 34 years as a 4-H Development Fund member.

He is survived by three children: Phil and wife Sue Wagner, Chambersburg, PA; Jan and husband Don Sokoloski, Wheaton, IL; and Sam and wife Kim Wagner, Tionesta, PA. Also six grandchildren who brought him great pride: Curt Wagner (wife Sara) of Tallmadge, OH; Karen Thrush (husband Dan) of Palmyra, PA; Michelle Keenon (husband Clayton) of St. Charles, IL; Bethany McGowan (husband Ryan) of Pittsburgh, PA; Jenna Setsuda (husband Jason) of South Lyon, MI; and Matt Wagner (wife Jenna) of Tionesta, PA.

He will be missed by eleven great-grandchildren: Allison and Sawyer Wagner; Annalise, Lydia, and Silas Keenon; Levi and Norah Thrush; Jane and Holly Setsuda; and Hannah and Baby Boy McGowan (due mid-December); and many nieces and nephews.

Everell was preceded in death by his wife Janet, whom he cared for lovingly in her final years; also his three sisters: Helen Rickenbrode, Evelyn Dombrowski, and Gertrude Ginkel.

Friends will be received at the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta on Monday, December 4, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Leeper, PA on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 11 a.m., with visitation at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Pastors David A. Hart and Jonathan Bell will officiate. Burial will be at Wolfe’s Corners Cemetery, Tionesta.

The Wagner family wishes to thank the staff at The Caring Place in Franklin for the professional, compassionate care they provided to Everell during the final year of his life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9870 Pennsylvania 36, Leeper, PA 16233; the Forest County 4-H Development Fund, 668 Elm Street, Suite C, Tionesta, PA 16353; or Wolfe’s Corners Cemetery Association, 2611 Lake Lucy Road, Tionesta, PA 16353.

Online condolences can be sent here.


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Category: Obituaries