BENSON - John "Jack" W. Wagner, 74, Benson, passed away at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 3, 2009) at the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Nursing Home, where he was a resident.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Benson. Pastor Ruth Hansen will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home, Roanoke, and one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday. Cremation rites will be accorded and burial of ashes will be in Clayton Township Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Benson or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnsonharris.com.

He was born May 15, 1935, in Benson, a son of Lloyd and Beulah Kolb Wagner. He married Bonnie Park on Dec. 9, 1956, in Minonk. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Kim (Jerry) Turner, El Paso; five sons, Kent (Vernette) Wagner, Roanoke; Kevin (fiancee Annette) Wagner, Roanoke; Greg (Kristi) Wagner, Parkville, Mo.; Troy (Pam) Wagner, Tucson, Ariz.; and Cory (Kim) Wagner, Roanoke; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two daughters, Kathleen and Collette.

A veteran, Jack served his country with the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Benson American Legion Post 454.

He farmed in the Benson area his whole life.

Always active and involved in the community, Jack served on the Benson Ambulance Squad, served as the Clayton Township Road Commissioner, and was a member of the Roanoke-Benson School Board, where he served the district for 22 years.

He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Benson, where he participated in many roles and had served on the church council