grave import

Obituary

Wilmer G. Wagner, 79, former freight traffic manager for the Burlington railroad with head-quarters in Chicago, died at 10:40 pm Tuesday in Burlington hospital after an extended illness. He had been a hospital patient for 4 weeks. Wagner spent most of his life in rail service and was widely recognized as an authority on freight transportation. He was born in Constantine, Mich., May 26, 1866, the son of William A. and Martha Wagner, as a boy lived on a farm near Rockford, Ill., and later moved to a farm near Shenandoah, Ia., where he attended school. He carried messages for the Western Union at Shenandoah and learned telegraphy. He switched to the Burlington as an operator at Shenandoah, later became agent at various stations in western Iowa. While an agent at Overson, Ia., May 26, 1887, his 21st birthday, he married Georgia Adda Yarger. Later he served the railroad as agent at Malvern, Clarinda and Shenandoah, staying at the latter point from 1891 to 1900. He came to Burlington as freight agent in 1900, was promoted to commercial agent in Des Moines in 1904, returned to Burlington in1908 as division freight agent. He became assistant general freight agent of the railroad in 1916, later served as general freight agent, assistant freight traffic manager and freight traffic manager. He was retired on his 70th birthday anniversary after continuous service of 52 years with the company. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in Burlington May 26, this year. Wagner was a member of various Masonic bodies for many years, a member of First Congregational church of Burlington, and a life member of the traffic club of Chicago. Surviving are his widow; 2 sons, R. Bly Wagner of Pine Bluff, Ark, and Glen D. Wagner of Burlington; one daughter, Mrs. A.V. Eisenhart of Burlington; 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; a nephew, Charles Warren Wagner, Des Moines and a niece, Mrs. Helen Millhone, Clarinda. One son, Edwin and a brother, J.A. Wagner, Des Moines are dead. Funeral services will be held in Prugh's chapel Thursday at 4 p.m. Rev. Bruce Masselink will officiate, Internment will be in Aspen Grove cemetery.