Steven A. Wagner, 70, of Poneto, passed away at his home on Feb. 5, 2024.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1953, to Victor and MaryAnn Wagner in Ft. Wayne. After Steve graduated from Brebeuf Jesuit High School in 1972, he went on to study Biology at Wabash College. In 1973, Steve met Nancy Carroll and they were married in Ft. Wayne in 1975. They went on to have four sons, who benefitted from his intentional mentorship, coaching, soft-spoken advice, and dry sense of humor.
After an illustrious academic and athletic college career, Steve moved to Wells County in 1976 to begin his teaching career at the new Bluffton Jr./Sr. H.S. During his teaching tenure, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar and instructed for a year at The Hundred of the Who school in Rochester, Kent, England. Steve taught biology at Bluffton until 1995 until he accepted a position as director of guidance at Southern Wells Jr./Sr. High School. He also held three Master’s degrees from Ball State and IPFW. Steve’s influence on colleagues and students was unmatched, and he was greatly missed following his retirement in 2020.
Steve was a devout parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church, a constant friend, an avid reader, an indifferent sports fan, and a generous community member. He will be remembered for prioritizing his family, students, athletes, friends, and faith.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and MaryAnn; parents-in-law, James and Ann Carroll; sister, Vickie Oslos; and sister-in-law Marilyn Wagner.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy; his sons, Joshua (Megan), Benjamin (Jennifer), Peter (Laura), and Samuel; grandchildren, Justin, Abigail, Gabriel, Adrienne, Scarlett, Ainsley, Oscar, August, and Owen; his siblings, Richard (Liz) Wagner, Diane (Wendell) Walls, Daniel (Joyce) Wagner, and Donald Wagner; sister-in-law Susan (Thomas) Dunlap; brothers-in-law David (Julie) Carroll and Jimmy Carroll; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 5 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bluffton with Father David Violi celebrating mass. Visitation will be held Monday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Burial will follow mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Bluffton, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Steve’s name to Bluffton-Southern Wells Dollars for Scholars or Family Centered Services and can be send to the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the Wagner family at www.thomarich.com.