John B. Wagner

John Blakemore Wagner, 91, of Hopewell Twp., formerly of New Castle, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Beaver Elder Care.

Born Jan. 16, 1924, in New Castle, a son of the late John B. and Anna Jerry Wagner, he was retired from Johnson Bronze and Lockley Machine Co., New Castle. He was a member of the Holy Ghost Orthodox Church, Ambridge, and was also a devoted member of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church, New Castle. He was a radio technician with the U.S. Army during World War II and served with the Australian Philippine Campaign and New Guinea Campaign. He was an avid golfer since he was 16 years old and won numerous amateur tournaments and had three holes in one. He also was an avid trout fisherman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Wagner, in 2012; one grandson, Simon Peter Smolcic; two brothers, Paul and James, and one sister, Gloria.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Mary Wagner, Hopewell Township; one daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and the Very Rev. Samuel Smolcic, Belle Vernon; four grandchildren, Ivanna and her husband, Joseph Harding, Texas; Josue` and his wife, Natasha Smolcic, South Carolina; Michael Wagner, Ohioville; Danielle Wagner, Bellevue; three great-grandchildren, Ottoniel, Karla and Jessica Harding.

Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 p.m. until time of Parastas service at 8 p.m. in the BOHN-MATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge. Translation of the body to follow to Holy Ghost Orthodox Church, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Very Rev. Father William Evansky officiating.

Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, Greensburg, PA.

 Service Information