Charles August Wagner

Charles August "Chuck" Wagner passed away on February 21, 2026 at the age of 93. Born on December 24, 1932 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chuck graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor's and an MBA and commenced his career at Mobil Oil, his sole employer until retirement. Chuck was known throughout the region for making deals in the fast-growing Chicago suburbs and guiding various family-owned farms through difficult decisions on how or whether to sell their land. He was still receiving warm and thankful Christmas cards from several prior farm owners, 35 years after his retirement.

Racing cars and motorcycles in his youth, Chuck settled down in later years and devoted himself to the garage sale circuit, avidly hunting for antiques and everyday bargains alike – often ending up with three of everything on hand. Yet "Papa Chuck" was always at the ready to talk shop about racing, business life or his personal experiences, and share pictures of his adventures with the grandkids.

Chuck shared many group friends with Alice, including volunteering to manage the church flowers at St. Marcelline/St. Gregory of Nyssah. Car tours on a Sunday afternoon and extended road trips were frequent with Alice, Carol (Alice's sister) and Carol's husband, Howie.

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife, Alice (also known as Nana and Granny), his children Janet, Mary (Mark Klein), Michael (Serena) and Ann, stepsons Andrew "Drew" Zocher (Joan), Alan Zocher (Donna), and Alec Zocher (Bridget), and grandchildren Bair, Adam, Nadia, Sarah, Steven, Sam, Luke, Becky, Samantha, Alaina, Alexis (and new husband Alex), Alyssa, Aidan, Milo, Cole, Ben, his sister Mary Patrick, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents August and Sylvia, née Imp, Wagner, and sisters Sylvia and Margaret.

A memorial service is planned by the family at a later date.