Kenneth Wagner

Ken Wagner, 80, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 17, at home surrounded by his family.

Born Sept. 19, 1943, Ken grew up in the Centralia home of his parents, Kenneth E. and Eva (Walchonski), and his beloved sister, Helen Ann.

Ken graduated from Mount Carmel High School, Class of 1961.

In 1968 he started his own company, Wagner Precision Grinding, later changed to Wagner Industries Inc., in Centralia, but in 1986, the mine fire forced Ken to relocate his family and business. Ken, along with his wife, Dolores, and children, Stephen, Tina and Pamela, moved to Fountain Springs, with the business moving to the Frackville Industrial Park, where it continues to operate today.

Dolores, Tina and Steve worked side by side with Ken at Wagner Industries, while Pam pursued a successful career in nursing.

Throughout his career of more than five decades, Ken proudly acquired a U.S. patent and was an innovator who pioneered uniquely designed parts that transformed the corrugated box industry he so loved.

He was deeply passionate about his hobby of trap shooting and sporting clays and was a member of several trap and skeet clubs, including Zerbe Trap & Skeet, Blue Ridge, and Sarasota Trap & Skeet in Florida.

Ken's favorite vacation destination was Venice, Florida, where he and wife, Dee, would spend many warm winters away from the northern climate.

Ken will always be remembered as a kind, generous and honorable man that was totally dedicated to his family. He impressed folks with his engineering skills and built a legacy meant to last with blood, sweat and tears that will be carried on by his successors.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dolores (Antonelli); daughter, Tina and her husband, Peter Olanich; son, Stephen and family, Tami, Sierra and Lauren; as well as daughter, Pamela and husband, Sean Murray, and daughter, Jillian. Also surviving are nieces and nephews and his favorite sister-in-law, Jacky Blase.

Divine Liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at Assumption BVM Church, Centralia, with the Very Rev. Arch Priest Michael Hutsko officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the Mass. Joseph J. Stutz Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, supervisor, is entrusted with arrangements. To leave a condolence to the family, please visit www.stutzfuneralhome.com.