Martin Wagner Jr.

Martin Wagner Jr.

February 16, 1925 - April 27, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce that our cherished Father, Martin Wagner Jr. (Marty), lost his final battle at age 100, on April 27, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. He was born on February 16, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of four children of Francis (Chojnacki) and Martin Wagner.

With the U.S. entry into World War II, Marty enlisted in the Navy three months after turning 17. As a young seaman in an 11-man crew aboard LCT 447, he fought in the largest amphibious assaults by Allied forces in the war. He landed on the beaches of Sicily on July 10, 1943, his Mother’s birthday. A year later, on July 6, 1944, Marty participated in the invasion of Normandy. As the tide receded and the shallow-draft LCT remained exposed on the shore, the ship’s crew deployed to Utah beach where one crewman was wounded and another was killed in action. The ship was decommissioned due to enemy fire, but fortunately the battle was won and Marty survived.

After the war, Marty returned to work in the factories around East Moline, Illinois, the town where he spent much of his youth. He became restless given his wartime experiences and travels and enlisted in the Army, where he spent 20 years until retiring in 1968.

One of Marty’s first Army deployments was to West Germany, where he met and married his German bride, Eva Finke. Eva and Marty led a typical military life, traveling from post to post throughout the U.S. and Germany, all while raising six children.

The family permanently settled in El Paso near the end of Marty’s military career. He was employed by Western Vending in El Paso for many years beginning in 1968. Eva and Marty remained happily married for 67 years, until Eva’s death in 2016.

Finished with working and raising children and grandchildren, Marty enjoyed metal detecting, fishing, and stamp collecting. He was an avid fan of both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Dallas Cowboys.

Although blind later in life, he was fortunate to have relatively good health until his passing. Marty lived life to its fullest with a great sense of humor and an interest in understanding the world around him.

He was a devoted husband and a loving father. Marty believed in integrity, kindness, and generosity; and he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. We find comfort in knowing that our Father’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and our cherished memories.

HERE’S TO YA, DAD!

Marty was predeceased by his wife, parents, and siblings, Richard Wagner, Loraine Cronkleton, and Dolores Bullock.

He is survived by six children and their spouses: Gary (Karen) Wagner, Rhonda (Walter) Born, Michael Wagner, Martin (Dana) Wagner, John Wagner, and Regina Wagner; nine grandchildren and their spouses: Curtis (Mary) Wagner, Philip Wagner, Reagan Born, Michael (Pamela) Born, Daniel (Jenna) Born, Alexa (Arohan Dutt) Gonzalez Wagner, Erin Wagner, Jamie Wagner, and Jennie Wagner; nine great grandchildren: Cameron, Jack, and Luke Wagner, Gilbert Born, Jenna and Joslyn Born, Pierson and Skye Born, and Jade Jones; as well as many friends who will miss him dearly.

A rosary will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church on June 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at the church on June 12, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., followed by interment at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Marty.