John L. Wagner, age 88, of Monroe, died on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. He was born on February 21, 1922, in Monroe, the son of Arthur L. and Lena (Schneider) Wagner. He was a 1940 graduate of Monroe High School and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, also attending radio technology schools. John and Grace Rear were married on July 17, 1943 at the Argyle Lutheran Church. He was a partner with his father and brother, Arthur F. Wagner in the Economy Tea & Coffee Co. retail groceries and household items in Monroe and surrounding areas. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Zilmer Riley American Legion Post# 84 and the Cecil Jones V.F.W. Post# 2312. John enlisted in the U.S. Army October 26, 1942, active service September 3, 1943, serving in the Rhineland and Central Europe from December 11, 1944 to December 11, 1945, being discharged January 8, 1946 as a radar repairman.

He is survived by his children, Jon Wagner of Monroe, Greg (Fred Muci) Wagner of Middleton, Chris (Tom) Simonson of Surprise, AZ; grandchildren, Charles Wagner, Kari (Dierckman) Sokol, Elise Wagner; great grandchildren, Jack Sokol, Natalie Jill Sokol and Stella Grace Sokol. He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Grace; brothers, Harold, Arthur F. (Hob), Paul, Robert; sister, Ruth Coon and granddaughter, Jill Dierckman.

Private family services were held, with burial in the Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe. Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorials may be directed to the Jill Dierckman Scholarship Fund, in care of The Monroe Fund or to the Monroe Arts Center Foundation.

The family is grateful for the compassionate and loving care given Johnny by the Pleasant View Nursing Home staff for the past three years.