"My deepest condolences to John's family and friends. I had the privilege of working with John at JDF and always appreciated his thoughtfulness and the genuine care he extended to his peers and customers. "
In loving memory of
John H. Wagner
March 14, 1958 - June 17, 2019
John Howard Wagner, 61, of Mazomanie (formerly of Madison) passed away Monday, June 17, 2019 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg after a brief battle with cancer. John was born on March 14, 1958 in Madison, the fourth child of Virginia and Carl Wagner. John was a lifelong resident of the Madison area and graduated from DeForest High School in 1976, where he was the wrestling team manager. John attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While attending college, John volunteered by counseling youth at Briarpatch Youth Services.
John began his professional career at CUNA Mutual , where heheld several positions during his tenure with the company. Later, John worked for Crump Life Insurance Services, Bisys Life Insurance Services, and John Deere Financial Services.
A paraplegic since the age of 9, John approached life with a positive, can-do attitude that amazed everyone around him. An avid Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks fan, John loved to attend and watch games with family and friends. John didn't let being in a wheelchair slow him down. He was a ranked amateur United States Tennis Association wheelchair player and competed in tournaments across the country. In addition, John played wheelchair basketball for the Madison City Bombers and participated in the Badger State Games, both in tennis and basketball. For many years, runners would see John wheeling himself up Bascom Hill during the annual Crazy Legs race. Other sporting activities included boating, jet-ski and motorcycle riding, and running his Golden Retriever dog Fred. Besides participating in sports, John coached both a women's city league basketball team ("Bucks") and a girls' youth team. For many years, John volunteered his time to the Second Harvest Food Drive manning the phones during their telethons.
John is survived by his sister Barbara (Carl) Alexander of Baraboo, niece Gina (Danny) Ripp and family of Verona; nephew Brent (Sara) Wagner and family of Lodi; nephew Justin Wagner and family of Watertown, MN; niece Meredith (Peter) Marsden and family of Oregon; niece Natalie (Mike) Grendys and family of Hoffman Estates, IL; nephew Scott Wagner of South Bend, IN, and nephew Ryan Wagner of Miami Beach, FL, and his special friend of 10 years, Cindy Hindes of Mazomanie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia and Carl Wagner, his two brothers, William (Bill) and Richard (Dick) Wagner, and his niece, Jennifer Janz. In addition to his family, John is survived by many friends from his Pumpkin Hollow Elementary School, DeForest Middle School and DeForest High School days and his professional work life.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Cress Funeral Home, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705, with Pastor Rob Nelson of New Heights Lutheran Church of Black Earth, WI officiating. Burial will be at the Arlington Prairie Cemetery in Arlington, WI, where his parents and brother are buried. Visitation will be held at the Cress Funeral Home on Friday, June 21 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Because the Wagner brothers, Bill, Dick, and John, were such big football fans, a quote from Dick's funeral sums up John's life: "The Game of Life is a lot like Football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity. Leave no regrets on the field."
Please share your memories.
Cress Funeral Service
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-8406
Tributes
"I am so sorry to hear about John's passing away. We all know and remember his get going ,uplifting attitude. I met John in a most peculiar way,and after that night he became a loyal client . I looked forward to John coming in for his haircuts! He had many looks. I will miss him dearly."
"I worked with John for many years at Cuna Mutual. He was such a good person. Nice to everyone. God bless."
"John is a hero of mine and wonderful friend. I am so saddened and still can?t believe he is gone. The world seems emptier and heaven just added one heck of a guy. John and I met at Briarpatch, a teen crisis center where we served as counselors. We quickly became great friends and I was able to witness John?s incredible strength and spirit. Not once did I ever see him feel sorry for himself despite the challenges he was going through. We explored the social scene of Madison and went to Badger games and road trips. We had great conversations about life and our relationships. John was a fantastic listener and could provide great insights and advice. John visited me in California and we had a wonderful time watching Badger football at the Rose Bowl. I watched him fly around the court playing basketball and fly around the dance floor with great enthusiasm. The guy enjoyed life to the fullest and his enthusiasm made everyone around him feel better. I would see him on my trips to Madison and we would talk all things Wisconsin sports which we both love. We went to church together. I am saddened that we had not spoken recently and now he has left so suddenly. I wish I could have told him one more time how much he means to me and how he inspired me. My comfort is in knowing we had a great friendship and that John touched so many people in such a powerful way. John you know I love you and thank you for blessing my life in so many ways! I know you are with Jesus my friend and how wonderful you must feel and I feel great comfort knowing I will see you again! I am praying for all John?s family and friends! Habakkuk 3:19 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Steve Kelly "
"I was saddened to hear of John's battle with cancer and passing. I worked with him at John Deere Financial and he always had a can-do attitude. My condolences to his friends and family. Michele Kittleson"
"John?s parents and my parents were good friends often working together on functions at Pumpkin Hollow Elementary School. We were devastated when hearing about the accident which put John in a wheelchair. He never let that wheelchair slow him down as he pursued sports that he loved. His positive attitude was contagious! RIP John, your smile and gentle spirit will be missed. Hopefully you have found your parents and brothers. "
"I had the privileged of hiring John at BISYS/Crump and working with him for several years. John was a positive influence on our customer base, our internal team, and the accounts he supported. John was a ?get it done? guy who always made sure he delivered before leaving the office, created great relationships with the agents he served and when I travelled with John I noticed the challenges for him that we take for grant it every day. Just getting thru the airport, checking into a hotel, getting dressed for a conference John always did this things ON Time and with a BIG smile on his face. In contests or games he was super completive and an amazing team-mate. He was always up for an experience no matter what it was and never looked at himself different from the rest of the team. John was a natural leader but knew his role. But his greatest gift was the passion he had for WI sports and the Packers. I remember working late one night and coming around the corner of the office and there was John with two other co-workers burning the mid-night oil. I said ?Great, this MUST be a Great case you guys are working on???.looking up they said ?NO, we are trying to figure out who the Packers should draft in the 3rd Round to get us back in the playoffs? I will miss John, but never forget John. You touched me with your spirit, you touch me with your passion but most of all you touched me with your heart. I know you are up in heaven running the Crazy Legs and coming in 1st place. Peace be with your family and friends. Michael Dyck ? Los Angeles, CA "
"John is my cousin and I knew him his entire life. It's nearly impossible to comprehend all the hardship and medical procedures that he went through because of his disability, but John was always upbeat, always smiling and always an inspiration to all he met. He was also the best quarterback our family reunion touch football games ever had."
"I know John?s sister Barb and she speaks so warmly of John ~ she has some wonderful moments to remember. Patti "
"John was one of the many bosses I had a Cuna and was a a great boss! Kind and full of life! Condolences to family and friends. Lisa Butler"
"I met John through my brother many years ago and would often see him out and about, mainly at sporting events. When we met we shared updates, or commiserated on, local sports teams - mainly Badgers and Packers.
John was always positive and upbeat. I just felt good after talking with him. Later when John began working for Deere I would see him more frequently (I work there, too). Reading John's obituary I've learned more about him. He is truly an inspiration to me and, clearly, to others as well. Although I had not seen John often recently, I will miss our occasional meetings - in the hallways or at Badger games.
John is in a better place now and I pray for him and his family and friends. "