John George Wagner

John George Wagner age 80, formerly of Bardstown and Lebanon, died at 8:15 am Friday, September 16, 2022 at Sanders Ridge Nursing Home in Mt. Washington where he had resided the last two years.

Born July 9, 1942 in Lancaster, New York, he was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Joseph and Lucy Catherine Wiedenbeck Wagner and his first wife, Elizabeth Josefa Wagner, July 25, 2005.

He was raised in a suburb of Buffalo, New York.  After high school he attended the University of Buffalo for his bachelor's degree.  He went to Berkley, California and received his Master's degree from the University of California, Berkley in mechanical engineering immediately returning to the Northeast to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island for his PhD in mechanical engineering.  His career started as a professor at the University of Pittsburg in their engineering department.  Later he took a job with Philips Lighting & Electronics.  This job eventually took John and his family abroad to Holland.  After a decade plus overseas he returned to the U.S. taking a project in Kentucky.  After retiring then being widowed, John remained in Kentucky.  He was educated, had impeccable manners and had some real redneck tendencies, LOL, a man of contradictions and also a man loved by family.

John is survived by his second wife, Julie Spalding Wheatley Wagner of Bardstown, a son, John (Liza) Wagner of Houston, Texas, two daughters, Katrin (Roger) Holden of Frankfort and Carla Ann Abbi of Bardstown, five grandchildren, Simon and Ann Holden, G.J. and Carl Oldeloohuis and Italee Wagner,  two step sons, Travis (Jessica) Wheatley of Springfield and Troy (Dianne) Wheatley of Bardstown, two step daughters, Karen (Brian) Mudd of Springfield and Amanda (Kris) McQueen of Westminister, Maryland, a brother, Norman (Trudy) Wagner of Marionville, Pennsylvania, a sister, Marian (Ron) Nemmer of Buffalo, New York, ten step grandchildren, Addison Luke Mudd, Marionna, Will, Aliva and Aria Wheatley, Evan, Ava, Adelyn and Isabelle McQueen.

Funeral mass for John George Wagner will be conducted at 11:30 am Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at St. Rose Catholic Church with Rev. Kevin McGrath, O.P. and Rev. Steven Reeves officiating. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be G.J. and Carl Oldeloohuis, Simon and Roger Holden and Troy and Travis Wheatley.

Visitation will be from 8:30 am till 11:00 am Tuesday at Hale-Polin-Robinson Funeral Home.

Contributions are suggested to Alzheimer's Foundation, Hosparus of Louisville or National Stroke Foundation.

Hale-Polin-Robinson Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

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