Donald Lee Wagner, 66, of Allegheny Township, unexpectedly went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012. Born Dec. 12, 1945, in Natrona Heights, he was the son of the late Leo J. and Florence B (Koedel) Wagner. He is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Kathleen Ann (Deroy) Wagner; beloved father of Michael Todd Wagner, of Arnold, Jason Lee Wagner, of Hyde Park, Erin Lee Wagner-Haggerty (Robert Haggerty), of Allegheny Township, and Keri Lynn Wagner-MacNeil, of Winnabow, N.C.; precious grandfather of Kintessa Andraia Wagner, Jaden Lee Wagner, Cody Vincent Franklin, Seth Thompson Wagner and Alexandra Lee Rado; and loyal brother to Howard Wagner (Suzanne Thomson), of Fombell, and Nancy Wagner, of Fawn Township. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Harold David Wagner. He was a graduate of both Har-Brack Union High School and California University of Pennsylvania. He was a primary organizer of past Har-Brack High School reunions and was in the process of working on the 50th class reunion plan for 2013. He was a retired industrial arts teacher at Burrell School District. For anyone who knew Don, knew him for his strong work ethic and his incredible talents as a craftsman. You could always find Don bringing his talents to new endeavors, lending a helping hand to his many friends or tinkering around and about. He was a devoted family man whose love was always unconditional. He was an active member and a past elder of Allegheny Presbyterian Church. Don will be deeply missed by many. Your memories will be cherished forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace, Don, Dad and Grandpa. We love you!
Family suggest contributions to Habitat For Humanity, 1172 Industrial Blvd., New Kensington, PA 15068.
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove Keri
It seems like just yesterday we were making silly Father's Day cards for you, and now you are gone. We lost you, the patriarch of our family, and we've somehow lost your direction: the honesty and fairness that you lived your life by. Know that, even though you are not here with us Dad, I will continue to honor you on Father's Day, honor your wishes, and do my best to live my own life in a way that will make you proud of me. I also hope that someday I will be the hero, father, and leader to Alex that you were and always will be to me. I love you Dad and I miss you more than words can explain. Happy Father's Day, Dad!!!!
You are missed every single day but especially today. You have always been "Santa" to us in so many different ways. Your spirit and memories are eternal and today we celebrate that. Christmas will never be the same without you, as I am sure Heaven will never be the same now that you are there. I love you Dad and thank you for all the wonderful Christmas memories and for showing us the TRUE meaning of Christmas! Please continue to look after your precious grandchildren. You are now their angel.
Love, Jason
Not a second has gone by that you were not on my mind. A good friend and good advice is not easy to find.The distance will not keep us apart. As far off as you are, you are still in my heart.When I think of you, it's impossible not to cry.When I'm feeling weak, I just look to the sky.
Watch over Kathy and your kids,they need you.
Miss You,
Howd
We all believe you're having the best one ever with your parents, Jenny, Pete and the others who have left us. Please keep watching over us and guiding our steps till we see you again.
I miss you more than ever. A few days ago, I was having a really rough day and all I wanted to do was call you. Because I know you would always tell me things with 100% love behind it. I had 18 years of amazing memories with you but I just wish I could've had more. I can't wait to see you again. I LOVE YOU. -Chicken Bone❤
I set up this website dedicated to you. I thought it was appropriate since we set up your Harbrack site together. Although we were not able to do this one together, I know you were watching over my shoulder as I cried and typed. I love you so much and miss you dearly! XOXO
Leave a Tribute
Love Keri
Christmas at the Wagner's
Growing up, Christmas was a very special time. Our parents taught us the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But with two parents that were both very competetive and perfectionist, you can only imagine the time spent on decorating and ensuring their children had a big Christmas. The 4 of us would be so excited, Todd more than the rest of us. Our tree always had to be flocked. As a child that process seemed to take forever. We were glad when they invented the cans of spray snow, which later replaced the flocking process. Decorating was always so much fun, it was a time to reimenise about the memories of each ornament. They always went over the top and saved all year long for Christmas. Dad would work extra side jobs to ensure it would be big. They always hid the "special" presents and try to lead us to believe we had opened everything, only to surprise us with more. Christmas morning, we would wake up at 3 o'clock am and go and wake up mom and dad. Please, can we go open gifts now. They would ask for 30 more minutes of sleep. We would go back our room and repeat this process every 30 minutes until 5 o'clock am, when dad would finally get up. We never realized they were up until 2 o'clock am setting up the gifts! It was forbidden for anyone to go out to the living room and get a sneak peak of the tree and gifts. Dad wanted to capture that moment on camera. Although, I am pretty sure Todd and Jason snuck out there quite often. So the 4 of us would have to wait in my parents room while dad went out to the living room to set up the video camera and get the lighting just right. Dad never set the camera up the night before, and we would be stuck in the room in anticipation as he would eww and aww about all the presents under the tree. It would take another 30 minutes for him to set up the camera. It felt like hours as a child. Then, when dad was finally ready, we had to line up, youngest to oldest. I was always first! We would walk down the hallway and into the living room. Dad would be smiling behind the camera and would capture the moment. Mom was always sitting on the couch with her legs and arms crossed smiling. They made our Christmas' memories so special for years to come. Over the years, things changed quit a bit. My more recent memories of Christmas is the anticipation of my own children excited to drive to Pennsylvania on Dec. 26th every year. We would arrive to the greeting of Grandpa. He always had candles lit and all the candy dishes around the house were full. He would come down to the van and carry our luggage up. Kathy would cook us dinner. Then, we wait for my siblings to arrive. We would sit around in the same big living room and open our presents. Kathy became the photographer over the years. She was always prepared and we never had to wait 30 minutes for her to set up. I love you dad and thank you for making Christmas such a special time over all the years.
Growing up in a different time.
Back in the day the roads had less people and it was a time when cars and motorcycles traveled a little faster.I had a 1959 Triumph motorcycle and Don had a 1970 Triumph.In that period of time Triumph was the bike to have.The Factory held the land world speed record at Bonneville salt flats.Dons bike was named a Bonneville Triumph for that reason.One day my brother Don called me to go to the Triumph shop to pick up his motorcycle that he had left for service.We rode up to Kittaning to get it in his Chevelle Supersport.I remember there was a long waiting list for those cars.They were saleing for way more than list price.They were simply fast.When Dons bike was pulled out at the shop,Don said what do you want to ride back home, the bike or car.I said I,ll take the bike and this is the last time you will see me till we get to Dads place.You see in those days the expressway wasn,t built yet.We had to use old route 28.It was a winding road full of bends.Perfect for motorcycles.I was really moveing along,passing cars and splitting lanes and covering ground.Not once when I kept looking back did I see that SS Chevelle,all the way to Freeport.I relaxed a little as I was going up Freeport hill when all I heard was the roar of that big motor passing me by.When I got to Mom and Dads place brother Don was leaning against the hood of his car.He simply said what took you so long?Those were the good old days growing up.
Howd
Keri's College Education
After my first year at the University of Pittsburgh, I decided I no longer wanted to be a chemistry major. I had no idea what I wanted to do, aside from knowing I wanted to be as successful as my parents were in their lives. Dad told me he read an article on the need for women in computer engineering. So dad went with me down to Pitt to register for my fall classes. He insisted I take computer engineering if I wanted to get a job right out of college. Needless to say, taking Physics & Engineering without taking the calculus pre-requisite was extremely difficult and in the Spring with dad's advice, I stayed in the computer field, but switched to a computer science major. It is to my dad's credit that I have had a very successful career in the Information technology field over the past 12 years. Another example of Dad always having the answers. The photo attached is my undergraduate college graduation day with a B.S. in computer science. This I knew was one of the proudest moments for Dad. Thank you dad for always guiding me when I needed it and being proud when I earned it!