Edward “Donald” Wagner

Edward Donald Wagner, 89, Richards, Mo., passed away on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo., following a brief illness. Don was born June 27, 1929, in Butler, Mo., to Edward Joseph and Rhoda Belle (McGuire) Wagner. He married Jean Marie Henry on Dec. 22, 1951, in Nevada, and she preceded him in death in 2013.

Don was raised in Bates County and graduated from Butler High School Class of 1948. Following his marriage he was drafted into the United States Army and immediately left to serve for a short while before returning home to his family in Bates County. He then purchased a farm near Horton where he has lived ever since. Don drove a school bus for Metz School district, drove the road grader in Metz Township for several years, and operated a bulldozer, as well as farming and raising pecans. Don was an avid bowler, he loved watching Kansas City Royals baseball on TV, and going fishing at Roaring River.

Survivors include one son, Steve Wagner and his wife, Betty, Broken Arrow, Okla.; two daughters, Debbie Hoenshell and her husband, Wyatt, Richards, Mo., and Donna Nichols, Joplin, Mo.; four grandchildren, Shawn Hoenshell, Kelly Eaton, Amanda Merkel, and Zachary Nichols; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Jean, he was preceded in death by one brother, Willard Wagner; and two sisters, Florence Stanfill and Shirley Little.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with Pastor Norm Conklin officiating. Interment military honors will follow in Balltown Cemetery in Horton. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m., Saturday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to McGinnis Youth Center in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.