Mark William Wagner

Mark William Wagner, 83, died peacefully at home on March 1, with his wife and children by his side. He was born on October 25, 1937, in Freeport, Illinois, the son of Paul F. and Margaret May Wagner. He graduated from Freeport High School (1955) and from Bradley University (1962), where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He also attended Duke University and Shimer College. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1957-1959). Mark married Susie Schneider of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 9, 1962. Together, they are the proud parents of 11 children and grandparents of 26 children. Mark worked in printing, and he was the president and CEO of Wagner Printing Company for many years. He was very active in the Freeport community. He served as a member of the Freeport Police and Fire Commission and the Greater Freeport Partnership. He was a longtime member of the Noon Rotary Club, and he served on the board of the YMCA of Northwest Illinois. He also helped to develop a business incubator program at Highland Community College. In 1999, he received an award from the Freeport Chamber of Commerce for his community leadership. Mark placed great importance on family, education, fitness, and leading a simple life. He enjoyed meeting people and hearing their stories. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner, who especially enjoyed philosophy, mathematics, computers, and aviation. He spent many happy hours fishing and playing golf. He listened well, and he was a friend to many. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Susie, and their children and grandchildren: Willie (Beth) Wagner (Willie, Trillion); Martha (Petrit) Alibali (Mariana, Lauren); Eric (Eileen) Wagner (Elise, Charlie); Matthew (Lisa) Wagner (Luke, Annika, Zack); Amy (Ray) Sager (Cassidy, Courtney); Molly (Stefan) Brecour (Emma, Svea, Henry); Susan (Nathan) Cook (Felix, Alice, Otto); Rebecca (Chris) Peters (Clayton, Bode, Amelia, Morgan); Kurt (Jen) Wagner (Joshua, Bridget); Kathryn (Mint) Henk (Maple, Harper); and Claire (fianc Antonio Valenzuela-Amaya) Wagner (Cyrus). He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marita Binkowski, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Linda Schneider, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Frederic and Marlene Wagner, and brother-in-law, Dennis Binkowski. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Aquin Catholic Schools: www.aquinschools.org/angels/donations.cfm. Interment will be at Gund Cemetery in a private family service. A memorial celebration will be planned at a later date.