Earl S. Wagher

Earl S. Wagher, of Manito, formally of Oneida, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 3:02 P.M. at Pekin Manor in Pekin, Illinois, two months after his 93 birthday.

 

He was born February 16, 1922 in Wataga, Illinois, the son of Elmer and Shela Hilton Wagher. Earl married Beth M. Bryant on February 20, 1942 at the Oneida Methodist Church. Earl was a good husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, he touched many lives.

 

Those surviving are two daughters, Gloria (Sheldon) German of Alpha, Illinois and Virginia “Ginny” (Dennis) Elam of Manito, Illinois. Five grandchildren, Tom (Laura) Elam, Chris Elam, Barb (Tom) Kane, Missy (Larry) Bard Jr., Monica (Kim) German. Six great-grandchildren, Brittany Kane, Kathleen Kane, Hunter Elam, Caroline Elam, Charles Kane and Kyle Bard, three great-great-grandchildren and one brother Tom (Sandy) Wagher.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four brothers, one infant, Robert, Bruce, Wilfred, and four sisters, Betsy, Blanche, Rose and Patti.

 

Earl was raised in the Victoria and Altona area, graduating from Altona High School in 1939. He was in the Shore Patrol for the Navy throughout World War II, and was very proud of his service to his country. He was a Boy Scout leader in his community for twelve years, Postmaster of the Oneida Post office for twenty-two years, a member and former board member of the Little John Conservation Club in rural Victoria, Illinois, a volunteer fireman in Oneida for forty-six years and a member of the Gregg Library Board for thirty-five years. He was a lifetime and a member of the Rylander-Milroy American Legion Post 727 in Oneida, Illinois.

 

Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M to 3:00 P.M. on Monday April, 13, 2015 at Hurd- Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory in Oneida, Illinois. Funeral services will be at 3:00 P.M. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Oneida, Illinois, with Rev. David Pyell officiating and military rites will be conducted by the Rylander-Milroy American Legion Post 727.  Interment will be at the Oneida Cemetery, Oneida, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gregg Library or the Rylander-Milroy American Legion Post 727 in Oneida, Illinois. Online condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com 

 

Even in the most difficult days of his illness, he remained cheerful and kind with those around him. As he progressed through the phases of elder life, he received magnificent care. The family would like to thank the staff at all of the following facilities:  Seminary Estates and Manor in Galesburg, Illinois, Home Instead in Morton, Illinois, Autumn Accolade in Green Valley, Illinois, Harbor Lights Hospice of East Peoria, Illinois and Pekin Estates and Manor in Pekin, Illinois for your assistance and friendships.