Erwin J. Wagner Jr.

Erwin J. “Bub” Wagner, 91, of Sulphur Springs, passed peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Avita of Bucyrus. 

He was born December 25, 1932 at home in Sulphur Springs to the late Erwin Sr., and Lottie L. (Parr) Wagner. Erwin was a 1950 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and from January of 1953 to December of 1954, proudly served in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany and spent much of his deployment as a tank driver. Upon his return home, he married Joyce C. Hieber and they shared 50 wonderful years of marriage until her passing on November 1, 2005. Bub then married Jean L. Sharrock on September 25, 2011 and she survives. They’ve enjoyed many good times over their 12 plus years together and was proud to have been able to bring both of their families together.

Bub spent 23 years working as a printer for Eichelberger Printing and then helped educate area youth for 18 plus years as a graphic arts teacher at Pioneer JVS. He was member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; Elks Lodge 156; Moose Lodge 669; American Legion Post 181; Crawford County Community Concert Association and was a longtime cemetery sexton and board member of Sandusky Cemetery. 

Gathering with family is what made him happiest, and he always looked forward to the Wagner family reunions. Bub took great pride in caring for his lawn and it wasn’t uncommon for neighbors to see him mowing two to three times a week. When not tending to his yard, there was a really good chance he could be found in his barn, fiddle farting around with various projects.  He enjoyed cooking and spent hours in the kitchen making some great tasting soups. Music was also very important to Bub and no matter what the task, he always had Big Band sounds blaring through his radio to assist with the experience.  He was a regular at the Bucyrus Public Library, working through about six books every week and for relaxation, he loved watching TV shows such as Gunsmoke, MASH, and CNN news, just to name a few. 

In addition to his wife, Jean, Bub is survived by children, Doug (Diana) Wagner and Tonya (Doug) Wagner Heyman; stepchildren, Becky Stormer, Dan Young and Dave Young; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Joanne (James) Baumgartner as well as lifelong friends, Dave (Janet, deceased) Wachhaus, Butch (Mary) Sherk and Max (Anita) Spiegel.

Along with his parents and first wife, Joyce, Bub is preceded in death by an infant son, John Kevin Wagner; siblings, John and Carl Wagner and Betty Ebersole; stepson, Tim Young and step son-in-law, Larry Stormer. 

His family will receive friends from 11-12:55 pm Friday, April 5 at Wise Funeral Service, where his funeral to follow at 1:00 pm with longtime friend, Dave Crum officiating. He will be laid to rest in Sandusky Cemetery, where Military Rites will be provided by both the US Army Honor Guard and the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail. 

If desired, donations can be made payable to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook at www.wisefuneral.com.