Betty Jean Wagner

BETTY JEAN WAGNER, 87, of Chester, Illinois passed away at 4:33 pm, Monday, November 28, 2022 at Memorial Hospital, Chester, Illinois.

Betty was born in Red Bud, IL to Oscar W. & Frieda (Heller) Mennerich Feb, 21, 1935, During WWII, the family lived in Alton and Hartford, IL and then moved to the Chester area.

Mrs. Wagner was a member of the 1953 Chester High School graduating class and was chairman of the many reunions held by that class. After three years of employment in St. Louis, she married Roland Lee Wagner Sept. 7, 1957, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Chester. They settled in Chester along with their son Ronald and daughter Rhonda. During their years in school, she attended all their sporting events.

Mrs. Wagner served as a Randolph County Deputy County Clerk and Circuit Clerk for several years. She then accepted employment with the Illinois Security Hospital and transferred to the Menard Psychiatric Center, where she retired after serving as the Administrator’s Executive Secretary for twenty years.

Mrs. Wagner served on the Chester Board of Education for ten years, was a Ward 3 Alderperson on the Chester City Council and was the first Beautification Chairman for the City. She served as the 1995 Randolph County Bicentennial Beautification Committee Chairman. She was a past member and President of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was quite proud of the funds raised by that organization for the purchase of additional equipment for the hospital. In 2014, she sought state funds to repair the Governor Shadrach Bond Monument located in Evergreen Cemetery which suffered storm damage in 2008. When no state funds were available, Betty helped organize a private donations campaign. Funds from the Chester Tourism Commission and Save Illinois History helped complete the project A rededication ceremony was held Sept.21, 2014, and Governor Bond’s great grandson, Robert Hale, from the State of Washington was in attendance. She was a past member of the Chester Tourism Commission and served as a tour guide for the river boat passengers for many years.

Betty was a member and past president of the Chester Women’s Club and was named Woman of the Year in 2004. She also organized the CHS Senior Girls Tea held annually and served as chairman for nine years. She was a member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 487 and attended many State and National Conventions representing that Unit. Betty was a member of the Chester Red Hats, the Randolph County Genealogical Society, and the Missouri Civil War Museum. In 2017, she was named the Chester Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

Mrs. Wagner enjoyed golf for many years, bowling, traveling, going to concerts, attending programs at the Chester Library, and being with family and friends.

Survivors:

Husband:

Roland Wagner Chester, IL

2 Children:

Ronald (Cindy) Wagner Chester, IL

Rhonda (Gary) Bockhorn Waterloo, IL

2 Grandsons:

Shane (Ashley) Wagner and Trent (Kraiten) Wagner

1 Granddaughter:

Sydney Bockhorn

4 Great Granddaughters:

Lincoln Sue Wagner and Lennix, Livia and Leighton Wagner

1 Sister:

Jeri (Laddie) Swan

A Niece, Great Niece and Cousins

Preceded in Death by : Parents and Brother – Arthur Mennerich

Funeral Service :

10:00 am, Saturday, December 3, 2022

Peace Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:

Dr. Mike Fogerson

Interment :

Paradise Cemetery

Steeleville, Illinois

Visitation:

Friday – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Saturday – 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Peace Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois

Memorials :

Chester Public Library

St. Louis Shriners Children’s Hospital