Kenneth
William Wagner was born October 17th, 1917 in Orrville, Ohio to William Irvin
and Ella Frances (Cameron) Wagner. Before settling on a farm, which is now Lake
Harmony near Dalton, Ohio, William and Ella moved several times between Holmes
and Wayne Counties and made a living as share croppers. Ken helped raise different farm animals and
helped his father as a farm hand.
In May 1935 Kenneth graduated from
Orrville High School, before working for local farmers for several years until
entering the Postal Service on November 8, 1941 as a mail clerk at the Orrville
Post Office until enlisting in the Army.
From April 1942 until December 1945 he served in the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
At 8:15 a.m. on April 25th
1943 Kenneth Wagner was married Joanne Faber in the First Brethren Church,
Rittman, Ohio in front of immediate family.
Joanne joined her husband in Onset, Massachusetts who was stationed at
nearby Camp Edwards. Ken served at Fort Bragg,
North Carolina from April 30th – June 13, 1942, Camp Edwards from
June 14, 1942 – December 13, 1943, and Camp Gordon, Florida from December 15,
1943 – December 15, 1945. Ken was
promoted to Staff Sergeant during his service and became head of postal service
at Camp Gordon.
December
1945 Kenneth and his wife, Joanne returned to Orrville, Ohio, living for
several years on Vine Street, before building their home on Crown Hill. After returning to Orrville Ken worked as a
substitute city carrier and clerk until 1957 when he accepted a rural postal
carrier position, Kenneth retired on June 29th, 1973 after 32 years
of service. Kenneth and Joanne Wagner
raised two children in Orrville, Ohio.
After retirement Ken and Joanne often
traveled with friends to the Southwestern part of the country. Ken enjoyed fishing, antiquing, bowling,
gardening and painting.
Kenneth William Wagner passed away after
a long illness on February 24, 1987. Ken
was survived by two younger brothers, a younger sister, two children, five grandchildren
and his wife, Joanne. He is buried next
to his lifelong wife in Crown Hill Cemetery, Orrville, Ohio Section 10, Lot
103.
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