Ed and Shirley Wagner

(From Parker Mortuary)

Edgar "Ed" Eugene Wagner was born November 10, 1930, in Neosho, Missouri to the late Harvey and Pauline Wagner. At the age of 85, Ed passed away on May 2, 2016.

Shirley Joan Miller Wagner was born September 18, 1932, in Carthage, Missouri to the late Guy and Clara Miller. Also at the age of 85, Shirley passed away on Friday, February 23, 2018.

After school, Ed volunteered for the National Guard from 1951 to 1954. He worked for Missouri Steel, Burnage Welding Supply, Linde Air Products, and Teledyne, before finally retiring as Head of Security for St. John's Hospital. He graduated from the Missouri Southern Police Academy and volunteered as a deputy reserve for the Newton County Sherriff's Department.

Ed earned his pilot's license at an early age and flew private planes off and on for most of his life. He loved to fly, and many memories were shared with his wife and kids at the local airport where Ed would take them flying.

In September 1951, Ed met the love of his life, Shirley, at the Neosho skating rink. They were married three months later on December 22, 1951. Ed and Shirley had been married over 64 years when Ed passed in 2016.

Shirley was working at the telephone company in Joplin when she met Ed. She had lived in Joplin most of her life, and after marriage Shirley worked outside of the home at St. John's Hospital in the Radiology department. However, her primary job was always taking care of her daughters and family. She was a member of the Beta Phi sorority and volunteered with the St. John's Auxiliary, along with Ed for several years.

Their granddaughter, Tara, came to live with them shortly after she was born in 1981. They accepted her into their home as a younger daughter and they legally adopted her in 1994.

Ed and Shirley were both lifelong members of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin and raised their daughters there. Ed volunteered at the church for several years to help run a camera and record the pastor's message for homebound people.

Ed and Shirley were preceded in death by their parents, 2 daughters, Linda Lindley on February 6, 2008 and Rhonda Rapp on August 4, 2011.

A memorial service for both Ed and Shirley will be Friday, March 9, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Dr. John Swadley officiating. Inurnment of their ashes will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.