Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Phil Wagner Obituary
SPRINGFIELD - Phil Wagner, age 79, of Springfield passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
He is survived by his special companion, Ann L. Smith; children, Phillip J. Wagner (wife, Nancy (Kaplan), Mary F. (Wagner) Keldermans (husband, Steven Keldermans), Theresa M. (Wagner) Fahey, Thomas J. Wagner (wife, Lisa Moscoso), Robert J. Wagner (wife, Ann Velasco), Michael J. Wagner (wife, Ellen (Biggs) and Daniel J. Wagner (wife, Lisa (Thompson); grandchildren, Jill Wagner, Matt Wagner, Sarah Wagner, Katie (Keldermans) Tierney, Chris Keldermans, Anne Keldermans, Jonathan Keldermans, Claire (Keldermans) Kramer, Phil Keldermans, Lindsay (Fahey) Smith, Joel Fahey, Annalise Wagner, John Harry Wagner, Lizzie Wagner, Daniel Wagner, Luke Wagner, Alex Wagner, Becca Wagner, John Wagner, Michael Wagner, Annie Wagner and Danny Wagner; and two great-grandchildren, Oliver Tierney and Blake Wagner.
Phil was born at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, the son of the late Harry and Frances (Wasilewski) Wagner of Athens, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Wagner of Nogales Arizona.
Phil was a graduate of Athens High School, 1948, Springfield Junior College, A.A., 1952, and the University of Illinois-Champaign, B.S.B.A., 1954. Phil was the founder and owner of several family businesses, including Wagner Office Systems, Office Coffee and Merchant Service Co-op in Springfield. He was the publisher of several books about the life of Abraham Lincoln, "Abraham Lincoln: the Boy, the Man and Cliff Hangers" and "Down to Earth Sayings by Abraham Lincoln and Other Common Folk," and founded a museum that celebrated Lincoln's successful effort to establish Springfield as the Illinois State Capitol (the Long Nine Museum in Athens). Phil also promoted a wide variety of public service projects over the years, including the designation and bicentennial celebration of the Lincoln Post Road between New Salem and Springfield (1976); the founding of Athens Community Park and supporting the Athens Public Library.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Phil earned a national reputation as a dealer in cash registers, office furniture and filing systems. He invented and manufactured the rolling posting tray for side files. For years Phil and his company, Office Coffee, supplied coffee and cold drinks for all Illinois rest-stops during the summer holidays.
Phil was a U.S. Air Force veteran, Korean War, and member of Post 32, American Legion and life member of the American G.I. Forum-Hispanic American Veterans. He was a Silver Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League of North America.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 until time of funeral Mass at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2010, at the Holy Family Church in Athens. Mott and Henning Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.
Memorials can be made to the Athens Library, "Heritage Section."
Online condolences can be sent at www.mottandhenning.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Phil Wagner
Debbie Neibert-Shanle
May 27, 2010
To all of the Wagner family - I am so sorry for your loss. Phil was a great friend and former Athenian classmate of my father, Bob Neibert. He will be missed by many.
Theresa Muller
May 27, 2010
Dear Ann: My sincere sympathy to you. You are a very special person. I am so sorry I was not able to visit you in person at Phil's visitation. He truly brought smiles to thousands and thousands of people during his lifetime...from a long-ago friend, Theresa Muller (Basler)
Jim & Maureen Pranske
May 26, 2010
Our sincere condolences to the entire Wagner Family. Phil had a natural talent of adding an air of excitement and optimism to any room in which he entered. As a young boy, I once asked him how he handled all the "no" responses when he tried to make a sale. Being the consummate salesman, he responded, "Jimmy, a 'no' just means you are one step closer to a 'yes'." I think he truly lived his life with that perspective. May God be with you during this time.
Chuck Hand
May 25, 2010
To the Wagner family: I just heard about Phil's death. I am so sorry for your loss. He and I spent many hours talking "Lincoln". He was certainly a pleasure to know.
Ro
May 25, 2010
Dear Ann & Family,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you. It was a shock to see that Phil had passed. He was just in Gallagher's that weekend. It was always a pleasure to see you both dancing & socializing & having a good time. (I hope he didn't eat to much spumoni!!)There will truly be a void not seeing him! You are in our thoughts & prayers. Peace & Love, Ro @ Gallagher's
STELLA STAAB
May 25, 2010
TO THE WAGNER FAMILY, SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD. HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND A GOOD GRIEN TO MY HUSBAND DICK, WE WILL MISS HIM.OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. STELLA STAAB AND FAMILY
Rick Weed
May 24, 2010
To the Wagner Family,
Let me express my sincerest sympathy on the loss of your dad. I have many fond memories of him and all of us together. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time.
Tim Patterson
May 24, 2010
To all the Wagner family, I thought of your father often and was sorry to hear of his passing. He was always "Looking Good".
Debbie Strong
May 24, 2010
Teri and Anne,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of sorrow. May your memories bring you comfort.
Don and Eden Thompson
May 24, 2010
Dan, Lisa, and the entire Wagner Family,
Eden and I are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. We want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
John Thorson
May 23, 2010
It was difficult to give Phil a compliment. He seemed embarrassed by it as he would immediately turn the compliment back on you. He was an extraordinary man who lived a long, exciting life with a caring heart for many causes. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Patty Garrett
May 23, 2010
Dear Mary & Steve (Keldermans) -
I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You were both so very kind to me through all my trials & tribulations of the last two years, I wish there were some words of consolation I could give; but with my father being a little over a month gone, I know there's very little consolation in words. But, if I may, let me suggest that not only is he being welcomed up above, but he may be shaking hands with Mr. Lincoln as we speak and being thanked for all the good he has done. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you both. Patty Garrett
Fr. Tom von Behren. C.S.V.
May 23, 2010
To the Wagner Family,
You are in my heart and prayers during these days of remembering your father and grandfather. His legacy is in his children and grandchildren, great people and dear friends. Know that your dad is at peace.
Victor Juarez
May 23, 2010
My deepest Sympathy to Phil's family.
Phil was a friend and member of the Central Illinois Chapter of National Image Inc. He also was a supporter of our Latino Scholarship by providing part of the sales proceeds from his bilingual book "Abraham Lincoln The boy the man/el nino el hombre". He also expanded international relations by gifting hard bound copies of the book to the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago. He embraced our chapter"s effort to improve Latino race relations and educational achievements. I talked to Phil last month after my recent move to Philadelphia, and will always remember him as a fine gentleman.
adios amigo
Jim and Eileen Carender
May 22, 2010
Our Loss, God's Gain...
May 22, 2010
Ann and entire Wagner Family,
Our heart goes out to all of you on the loss of Phil. I was a neighbor and went to school with some of the Wagner boys. I had the great opportunity to run into Phil again in the last several years through knowing Ann. We will miss seeing he and Ann out and about and watching them dance. We so much enjoyed our conversations with him and his interesting stories.
Prayers to all of you during this difficult time.
Bobby and Kathy (Saputo) Blair
May 22, 2010
Dear Ann and all of the Wagner family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. He was one of a kind, and will be greatly missed by many, many people, as he made friends wherever he went. He was always there to help whenever he could, and that is such a beautiful example of what God wants of us here on earth. My prayers will be with you as you go through this very difficult time. Sharon (Pranske) Meyer
Flo Wort
May 22, 2010
To the Wagner Family,
Our sympathy to all the Family. Losing a Dad or Grandfather is never easy. He was the Father of wonderful children.
May he rest in peace.
Love and prayers,
Mr and Mrs Larry Wort
Margaret Teodori
May 21, 2010
Mary,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I did not know your dad, but my mom and dad did, and they both thought alot of him.
Mabel Guzman
May 21, 2010
Dan,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I will pray that peace finds you and love consoles all of you. Remember those beautiful memories created with your esteem father and friend.
Margaret Leckrone
May 21, 2010
To Phil Wagner's children: You were all so very lucky to have had a dad such as your dad. If he had any problems one would never know it for he always had a smile and of course would say "You're looking good" which always made me feel good. My prayers are with you all. Margaret Leckrone
May 21, 2010
My sincerest sympathies to Dan and the Wagner family.i
Art Sheridan
Dave Manfredo
May 21, 2010
Wagner Family and Friends,
My sincere condolences for your loss. Phil was a great man – always upbeat, positive and never at a loss for compliments, jokes and stories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May 21, 2010
Mary, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. He must have been a wonderdful man to have raised such a great gal like you! My maiden name was also Wagner - maybe we're related! We'll have to look into that. Love and Prayers - Jean Eddington
Marilyn Franklin
May 21, 2010
Teri & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories help to ease the pain. Thinking of you.
Pam Wasilewski Patton
May 21, 2010
Phil had a special place in my heart. He was my dad's, Dick Wasilewski, first cousin. Even though I was raised overseas and rarely saw Phil, I distinctly remember each time we spent together and felt a real comraderie with him, and the few times we hung out together at the Wasilewski reunions were so much fun. He had a genuine love of life and a genuine love for people. He was easy to talk to, and he was a true observer and listener....something that is very rare these days. My sincere condolences to Phil's family and loved ones. May the God of peace comfort you.
Steve & Barb Cody (Char Wasilewski's daughter)
May 21, 2010
Tonight when you look up, don't think of them as stars, Think of them as porch lights, welcoming your loved one safely home. Sending you thoughts of peace during your time of sorrow
Bob Dunbar
May 21, 2010
I am sorry to hear of Phils passing,he always had something positive to say and he was always smiling. He will missed and he will be in our prayers
Lindsay Dunlevy
May 21, 2010
Anne, I am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn Paice
May 21, 2010
I remember Phil from my first job many years ago. He and my boss at the time, Hank Malkus, were great friends. Phil stopped by our office on a regular basis to visit Hank, but he always had something funny or witty to tell us first. I enjoyed seeing him come through the door and loved listening to the stories he told about his family. I'm sure there are lots of wonderful memories that will comfort his family during this very difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of them.
Joyce Gerhold
May 21, 2010
To the Wagner family,
Phil was a great guy. I had the pleasure of golfing with Phil at a few golf outings and chatting with him at fundraisers. He was always a lot of fun, joking around and overall having a great time. I remember that he was always smiling and could find the good in all situations and people. He was always telling people how good they were looking. I'm sure that he will be missed by many. Keeping all of the family lifted in prayer, may God strengthen and guide you through this difficult time.
JOHN & JUDY STAAB
May 21, 2010
Wagner Family: So sorry to read about the death of my old friend Phil. He was quite a guy and lived life to the fullest. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Diane Walker
May 21, 2010
Teri, Phil and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My sympathy to you all. May God's hands be upon you, the wings of his angels surround you.
Know that my prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
May 21, 2010
Dan & Lisa and family,
Our sympathies on the loss of your dad. He raised a great kid and wonderful family. May you find peace at this difficult hour.
Mark & Debbi Denzler
Marcia Knox-Martinez
May 21, 2010
To the Wagner Family,
I met Phil many, many years ago through my Mom, Evelyn Knox. Phil would come to our house for parties and we would always run into him at different fundraisers. He was one of the most polite men I have ever encountered in my life! If you were speaking of Phil, you would always say "You're lookin good"! My Mom really thought alot of Phil.
Please accept our condolenses during your time of grieve.
With sympathies,
Evelyn T. Knox and Marcia K. Knox
the richards family
May 21, 2010
pj ,our condolences on the loss of your father,may god comfort your family
Susan (Pranske) Smith
May 21, 2010
Dear Ann and Wagner family,
I first started working for Mr. Wagner when I was 15 and have continued with occasional employment for the past 39 years. Mr. Wagner always greeted me with a smile, perked me up with a compliment or two and made me laugh on every job when he would turn to me and say, "Sue, isn't this just exciting?''
My prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. Terry, please let me know if you need any help with the office.
I can picture him saying as he meets every angel, "Hi, I'm Phil Wagner and you're lookin' good!"
Showing 1 - 37 of 37 results
Make a Donation
in Phil Wagner's name
Memorial Events
for Phil Wagner
How to support Phil's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Phil Wagner's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
