Mark E. Wagner

Feb. 20, 1950 - Feb. 7, 2018

BREMEN - Mark E. Wagner was the second of three sons born to Stuart and Marcia (Hetznecker) Wagner in Bremen, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his father, Stuart; his mother, Marcia; his sons, Jerome Stuart and Jeffrey John; and his father-in-law, Jerome Schnurr. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jean (Schnurr) Wagner; his children: Delia (Bruce) Gadziola and their children, Emily and Ryan; Andy (Karen) Wagner and their children, Katelyn and Makenzie; Tony (Betsey) Wagner and their daughter, Fayth; and Jody Wagner; his brothers, Jim (Rita) Wagner and Paul (Laura) Wagner, and numerous nieces and nephews. He attended the Bremen Public Schools, where he excelled in football and tennis, and served as Senior Class President. He also played basketball, but gave the impression he was mostly used to fouling other players. He attended St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he met the love of his life, Jean. They were married, and Mark completed law school at Indiana University - Indianapolis and was sworn into the state bar in 1975. Mark and Jean returned to Bremen and Mark joined the law firm of Kizer, Neu, Joyce, Hite, & Wyland; he became a partner when the firm changed to Kizer & Neu, and practiced in an office in Bremen. He enjoyed many friendships within the Marshall County bar and in the surrounding counties where he practiced. Mark had many loyal clients who became good friends - he was particularly proud to represent the Community Hospital of Bremen, the Bremen Public Schools, and the Town of Bourbon, Indiana. In 2014, he created the firm Wagner & Wagner with his son, Tony. Mark served on the Bremen Park Board, WNIT Board of Directors, and the Ancilla College Board of Trustees, and Governor Otis Bowen appointed him to the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Commission. He also helped establish and administer the Laura Zeiger scholarship fund. Mark was an active member at St. Dominic's Catholic Church, where he taught CCD classes for over 30 years, and served as the youth director with Jean for 10 years. He coached his sons in Little League baseball, and enjoyed attending his children's athletic events. Mark joined his high school tennis coach, Frank DeSantis, as an assistant to coach his son Andy on the Bremen High School tennis team, and then eventually became the head tennis coach for both the boys' and girls' tennis teams; Mark coached in the Bremen tennis program for 28 years. Mark rooted for the football teams that his son Andy worked for: the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, and the Louisville Cardinals. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and was delighted to see their 2016 World Series Championship. He enjoyed watching any sport and activity that his children and grandchildren participated in, and took every opportunity to coach them. Mark was an avid reader, and particularly enjoyed politics and the history of the Civil War. He often watched cable news while he worked, but intentionally ignored it. He enjoyed regular tennis matches with his friends and former players, and was enshrined in the St. Francis Athletic Hall of Fame. Mark could bake a pretty good blueberry pie, even if no one believed him. He served as a pace-setting guide for the Bremen Holy Walk. Mark and Jean enjoyed traveling the world and seeing their children and grandchildren. Mark was a dutiful son, a loving husband, an attentive father, a loyal friend, and a committed son of Bremen. He supported programs that helped members in the Bremen community in the same way that the Bremen community supported his family when he was a child. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bremen Project HELP, Inc., and the Bremen Bags program, P.O Box 194, Bremen, IN 46506. Visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2018 at Bremen Public High School, 511 W. Grant Street, Bremen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Dominic's Church, 803 W. Bike Street, Bremen, Indiana. Private burial will follow in Bremen Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mishlerfuneralhomes.com.

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Published by South Bend Tribune on Feb. 8, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Wagner

Sponsored by Mishler Funeral Home - Bremen.

9 Entries

Bill Van Der Weele

February 2, 2024

Fond memories of dealing with Mark as he handles my parents´ estates. Our mutual love of sports - Mark - Cubs and Blackhawks; me Nationals and Capitals - provided us with a lot of good natured rooting back and forth. His professionalism and friendship will not be forgotten. RIP Mark!

chet zawalich

June 1, 2018

So sad to recently hear of Mark's passing.

Only knew Mark professionally, but wanted to say I viewed him as a good lawyer and kind and generous person.

My condolences to his family.

God Bless Mark and his family.

Bill Van Der Weele

March 5, 2018

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mark's passing. My parents lived in Argos and Mark was their attorney and he helped me with their estates. We became friends sharing our love for the Cubs and we happy when they won the World Series. We emailed about hockey - our hope was his Blackhawks and my Capitals would meet in the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately, my team failed to uphold their end; while the Hawks won the Cup twice.
Mark was always professional, ready with wise advice and it was an honor to know him.
My deepest condolences go out to Mark's family.

Susan Leininger

February 14, 2018

Although I never knew Mark's family, I know how excited and proud he was when his son joined the practice. Over the years he became a true friend to me. As an accountant in the area, I called him for legal opinions after I lost my Sister, also an attorney, to cancer. From time to time he would call me about some accounting or tax question, but I always felt, I got more than I gave. He was never too busy; and in the face to face visits for my own legal issues, he was always professional, but a true friend with a good story about his kids. I respected him immensely and referred anyone needing legal help to him. As I said we had been friends- for probably 30 years and I will miss him a lot. My genuine sympathies to his family.

February 10, 2018

I worked for 1st Source Bank in the late 1980's, a time when we had many issues with borrowers who had defaulted on loans. Mark was a great resource in helping us to work our way through a problem loan portfolio, while maintaining the confidence of our customers and the Community. I always appreciated Mark's positive can do attitude. The Bank considered Mark to be an expert in bankruptcy law,as well as a strong negotiator on our behalf. I always appreciated his sense of humor and strong work ethic. I will be forever grateful to Mark Wagner for making my job of repairing the Bank's loan portfolio much easier and more pleasant than it would have been without his wise counsel.

Glenn Borden Fort Wayne ,IN

Tom Straessle

February 10, 2018

To Jean and the whole Wagner family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow and mourning. We know that the Lord is close to the broken hearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit. Mark was a wonderful man who left quite a legacy and made a huge impact in the world in such a good way. Though I was always quite intimidated by his nature, I know that he was a big teddy bear on the inside! He was quite the competitor too! I too remember along with my brother Jerry that when we played croquet at the lake, he showed us no mercy and would usually send our ball three neighbors yards down when he came in contact with it! Boy did we laugh though! There are so many things to remember about him by so many which will always keep his memory present! May God's comfort and grace be with you all. Blessings and peace! Tom & Kim Straessle

Sheila Hall

February 8, 2018

My thoughts & sympathies to the family. Mark was a wonderful man that we dealt with when handling foreclosures, and my Mom knew him well with the Auditor's office. He was always very kind and he will be dearly missed. Please know how sorry the Civil Division, as well as myself & my mother are for your family. Prayers.

JoAnn Jackson

February 8, 2018

We send our most sincere condolences to all the Wagners, especially Paul and Jim. Mark will be sorely missed and we so appreciate his kindness and helpfulness over many, many years. May God comfort you in your grief. JoAnn and Gail Jackson

Randy McGriff

February 8, 2018

So sorry to hear about Mark. We competed against each other when I was a LaVille student and he at Bremen. He was a worthy foe and a real nice guy when the games were over and it was time to shake hands. It is not surprising he was such a successful pillar of the Bremen community. My sincere condolences.

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