HOWARD WAGNER

Howard Clark Wagner of Kansas City,  Mo., formerly of Canton, Mo., died on April 20, 2024 at Western Missouri Medical Center. He was born February 27, 1927, son of Nathaniel Joseph and Katherine Lavinia Clark Wagner. On March 27,1948, he married Norma Deloris Green in Hannibal, Mo., and she preceded him in death in 2022. He was a member of the Canton Christian Church since 1940 and served as a deacon for many years.

He attended Canton High School where he lettered in basketball before enlisting in the United States Navy in February of 1945. After WWII, Mr Wagner joined his brother in the family trucking business for eight years, before joining the Canton Post Office in 1956. He was appointed Postmaster in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. He served longer in the position than anyone since the Canton Post Office was established in 1847, and retired in 1987. Wagner said the highlight of his career came in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter visited Canton on a vacation trip aboard the river boat Delta Queen. He also worked on the Canton Ferry, nights and weekends, maintaining his Coast Guard pilot’s license for a number of years.

He belonged to the National Association of Postmasters, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the American Legion Post #170, and was a 50-year member of Craft Lodge #287 A.F. & A.M. (Ancient Free and Accepted Masons).  He was an assistant Scout Master and served on the Eagle Scout Review Board.

Survivors include son Ronald Wagner and wife Diane of Grand Rapids, Mich., and son Stephen Wagner and wife Anne of Kansas City, Mo.

His six grandchildren are Adam Wagner and wife Amy, Charles Wagner and wife Melissa, Andrew Wagner and wife Kathryn, Benjamin Wagner and wife Samantha, Sarah Latva and husband Joe, and Emilie Robbins-Wagner and husband Aidan. Great-grandchildren are Norah Wagner, Leo Wagner, Theodore Wagner, Carmella Wagner, Francesca Wagner, Edward Latva, and his step-great-granddaughters, Kira and Kaitlin Kerkove. 

In addition to his wife Norma, he was preceded in death by his son David Paul, sisters Lucille Gorrell, Frances Hanisch, Agnes Hamilton, Katherine Srednik, and brother N.J. Wagner Jr.. 

Joint memorial services will be held in Canton at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Canton Christian Church, 512 College Street, Canton, MO 63435.