Bruce Wagner

Clarence Bruce Wagner, age 80, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI. He was born on October 10, 1943, the son of the late Clarence and Eloise Wagner. Bruce graduated from Hometown, IL High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Bruce married Dorothy LeGault on July 8, 1967, at the Isabella Community Church. The couple celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in 2023. Dorothy preceded him in death on December 7, 2023. Bruce was a salesman by trade. While he was a great salesman, he took great pride that he began retirement at 55. Bruce enjoyed maintaining his two homes, one in Florida and one at Lakeland Camping Resort. In Florida, you could find him gardening, listening to his bamboo windchimes, smoking his pipe while listening to Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand in his Florida room. You could catch him playing 31 with his and Dorothy’s group of friends or being rude to waitresses as he took his wife Dorothy out to eat. At Lakeland, he enjoyed playing horseshoes, shooting at the squirrels that bothered his birds and listening to the Cubs on his transistor radio. He loved to bark out orders to everyone as all the kids and grandkids ran through the house. The most important thing to know about Bruce is how much he loved his wife, Dorothy. So much so he sold his beloved two homes to move to the U.P. of Michigan, where Dorothy wanted to be. There he reluctantly traded in Florida dreaming for time spent at the Senior Center and First Baptist Church. He spent his last years caring and doting on Dorothy, which was his favorite thing to do. Bruce is survived by his children, Michelle (Kenney) Wilson of Iron River, MI, Anthony (Ronda) Wagner of Lake in the Hills, IL, Eric (Miriam) Wagner of Elgin, IL, and Christine (Chad) Johnson of Oswego, IL; grandchildren, Raquel Cahill, Anabella Frish, Jimmy Cahill, Jennifer Wagner, Kennedy Wagner, Leann Wagner, Francesco Difiore, Lucas Wagner, and Kristina Wilson; great grandchildren, Brody Cahill, Braelynn Cahill, Silas Kushion, Taylor Wilson, Paislee Frish, and Hayden Wagner; nieces, nephews, extended family, and close friends. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Wayne, Chuck, Daniel, and Tim Wagner and sisters, Zelda Masterson and Rodna Wills. A graveside service will be held later in the spring at Resthaven Cemetery. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bruce Wagner, please visit our flower store.