John Wagner Obituary

Wagner, John Charles May 20, 1951 - August 11, 2015; of Chicago died at peace with God in his home after fearlessly fighting his yearlong struggle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Brumleve Wagner; mother, Mary of Lisle; brothers, Glenn (Barb) of Downers Grove, David (Terrie) of Beverly Chicago, Eric (Hillary) of Bolingbrook, and sister, Susan (Tom) Melillo of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He is also survived by 9 nieces and nephews whom he adored as well as his loving in-laws, Marlene and Steven Pickett of Effingham, IL. His father, John Francis Wagner, preceded John in death. A fervent believer in lifelong learning, John attended St. Killian's, St. Joseph's Franciscan Seminary, Tinley Park High School, Illinois Institute of Technology and Kent Law School. He applied his formal and informal education to many positions with both the Santa Fe Railroad and Metra, to which he decided to transition in 1982, applying his background in industrial psychology to moving people rather than freight. Ultimately, he retired from his position with Metra as Director of Workforce Education and Training, maintaining relationships with many appreciative employees. As time allowed, John loved to travel and became an exceptional photographer, helping his wife develop presentations of nature and culture of all the Spanish-speaking Americas for her students at the FW Parker school. In the neighborhood at St. Teresa of Avila's Parish, John served as member of the Pastoral Council, Eucharistic Minister, and English and Spanish language lecturer. Visitation will be held at Alvarez Funeral Directors, 773-278-8888, 2500 N. Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 17, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1950 N. Kenmore, Chicago, IL. Memorials may be made to St. Teresa of Avila Parish, food pantry and loaves and fishes dinner.