Richard W. “Rick” Wagner,Pierceton, passed away at 11:14 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 in Parkview Regional Hospital, Fort Wayne.  He was 68.

Rick was born July 12, 1948 in Fairmont, Minn. to Kenneth and Kathryn (Huemoller) Wagner.

He was a 1966 graduate of Owatonna High School, Owatonna, Minn. He earned his BA from the University of Minnesota Duluth and his masters degree in Business Administration through Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Rick was inducted into the United States Army Sept. 26, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minn. He served in Korea.  On April 29, 1969 in Fort Lewis, Washington SP4 Richard Wayne Wagner was honorably discharged.

Rick and Deborah J. Brozek were joined in marriage Jan. 5, 1971 in Hermantown, Minn.

He was an insurance agent and the agency owner of Group Benefit Plans.

A member of Crossroads Baptist Church in Shipshewana, Indiana, he was also a member of the NRA and YMCA.  Rick published the book, Islam: Religion or Fascism.  He was the founder of Friends of the Eel River Trail and was a long-distance biker averaging 2000 miles a year.  Rick was an avid salmon fisherman, a University of Minnesota Duluth hockey fan and was a World War ll historian.

Surviving with memories to treasure is his wife:  Deborah Wagner, Pierceton; four sons:  Rick Wagner, Minnesota; Ted Wagner and his wife Jackie of Manistee, Mich.; Samuel Wagner and his wife, Stephanie from Mitchell; and Joseph Wagner and his wife, Farzana from Avon; two daughters: Ona Khot and her husband Manoj of Three Rivers, Mich. and Esther Wagner of Pierceton; nine granddaughters; one great grandson; and his mother: Kathryn and her husband Waldo Dohman of White Bear Lake, Minn.  Also surviving is his sister, Janey and her husband Gene Smith of White Bear Lake; two brothers: David Wagner and his wife Cindy of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Ken Wagner of Medford, Minn.; along with several nieces and nephews. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Wagner.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9 in Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw as well as an hour prior to the service held at Crossroads Baptist. That service, celebrating Rick’s life, will take place beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Crossroads Baptist Church, 2525 N. 900W, Shipshewana, IN 46565. Pastor Mark Suever of the church will officiate.

There will be a graveside service at 3 p.m. that afternoon in Hillcrest Cemetery in Pierceton.  Military graveside honors will be conducted by active military personnel and Warsaw’s American Legion Post #49 and VFW #1126.

The family has asked that gifts in Rick’s memory to be given to the church at the above address.

The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege and an honor to care for the family and friends of Richard W. Wagner.