Walter Joseph "Whitey" Wagner, 86, of Tiffin, passed away Wednesday morning, January 11, 2012 at St. Francis Home, Tiffin.

He was born July 27, 1925, in Seneca County, to Frank and Leona (Rumschlag) Wagner. He married Mary Alice Zeis on May 20, 1950.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice; 3 sons; David (Lynne Etzkorn) Wagner of Shelby, OH, and Mark (Sally Snyder) Wagner and Alan (Brandy Budd) Wagner, both of Tiffin, OH; 1 daughter, Mary Beth (Al) Woods of Maumee, OH; 1 brother, James (Phyllis) Wagner of Tiffin, OH; 3 sisters, Ginny Kubasek of Tiffin, OH, Eileen (Mac) Metzger of Carey, OH and Rose (Terry) Reister of Florida; and 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul F., Charles A. and Louis E. Wagner; infant daughter, Alice and infant granddaughter, Emma.

He graduated from Calvert High School in 1943 and served in the United States Army Signal Corps. from 1943-1946. He was a 5th generation co-owner of The Wagner Floral Company, which started in 1847, and enjoyed his work there into his eighties. He was a loyal member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he was a lector. He was a member of the Elks BPOE 94 and past exulted ruler. He was very involved in the community, active in Tiffin Jaycees, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus and the Boy Scouts. Whitey was an avid fisherman and boater.

A mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, January 16, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating. A Rosary will be prayed 20 minutes prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Tiffin with military rites conducted by the United Veterans' Council.

Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 2-6:00 p.m. at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424. Elks BPOE of Tiffin Lodge #94 will have a memorial service at 5:45 p.m. A Christian Wake service will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Community Hospice Care.

Online condolences may be sent and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.