Clyde R Wagner

LAKE MILTON – Clyde Wagner died early Monday morning, returning to the arms of his loving Father, the Great Architect of the Universe, leaving behind his broken earthly body and the broken hearts of  his family and friends.
Clyde was born Aug. 4, 1930, to Virginia Alexander Wagner and Vance Wagner. He grew up in McKinley Heights.
In his youth, he turned to boxing for its discipline and challenge. He continued his boxing career when he joined the Navy, becoming middleweight champion of the Ninth Naval District. After four years in the Navy, he returned to finish his high school education, graduating with the Niles class of 1952. His classmates honored him by electing him student Mayor of Niles for Civic Day. Then he spent a year furthering his education at Mount Union College, where he also continued boxing, becoming Youngstown and Cleveland Golden Gloves Champion. He then moved to California to pursue boxing professionally.
A couple years later, he returned to the Mahoning Valley to continue his education. He chose Youngstown State University, where he earned his BS in Education, and later an MS in Education from YSU. He was immediately employed by Youngstown Public Schools, teaching elementary students at Stambaugh and then at West Junior High School and West Elementary School. He taught for 27 years in Youngstown, retiring in 1987, after having touched the lives of approximately a thousand students. In his retirement, he turned to real estate sales and real estate appraising, where he appraised for various  local financial institutions and VA and FHA. After his second retirement, he and his wife, Sally, enjoyed a month-long tour, crossing the U.S. from east to west along a northern route and returning by a southern route. They then settled into a routine of summers at Lake Milton here in Ohio, and winters at Alligator Lake in Florida.
Clyde’s treasure was his large and loving family, consisting of his wife of 50 years, Sally; his sons, Matthew (Heather) Wagner and  Mark (Wendy) Wagner; his daughters, Wendy (Dave) DiBernardi and Rebeccca (Michael) Kenneally; his grandchildren, Clyde Allan (Crystal) Wagner, Alyssa DiBernardi, Sabastian Wagner, David DiBernardi, Ashley Wagner, Brogan Kenneally, Ian Kenneally, Daina Wagner, Alaina Wagner, and Declan Kenneally; and great-grandchildren, Rose and Jazzman-Pearl Wagner.
He also leaves behind Sally’s brother’s families, John and Sandy Avery, their children, Jen (Greg) Warino, with great-niece, Josie and great-nephew, Graham and Chris (Kim) Avery, great-nieces Lydia, Mara and Leah and Robert Avery, with nephew, Brian (Kara) Avery and great-niece, Charlotte, niece, Sarah (Art) Weaver, great-nephew, Jacob, great-nieces, LeeAnna and Katie, and great-nephew, Travis, and nieces Angie and Lisa Avery.
Clyde’s nieces and nephews on his brothers side of the family are, Paul Alan, James, Debbie Vance (Malinda) and Annie.
Clyde’s brothers, Paul Wagner and Richard Wagner preceded him in death.
Over the years, Clyde had received many achievement awards, including inductions into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame, class of 1987, Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, William Farr Lodge No. 672 (Past Master), and life member of the American Legion, National Education Association, and Ohio Education Association. He was a past-president of the Youngstown Education Association. He served two terms on Girard City Council and was Democratic precinct committee person for many years.
He was a longtime member of the Girard First United Methodist Church, having served at various times as President of the Mens Group, member of the Administrative Board and Sunday school teacher. At the time of his death, he and his wife, Sally, were Church Historians.
Calling hours will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard, with a Masonic Funeral Service at the conclusion of calling hours. The memorial service will be held on Friday at the church at 11 a.m. with calling hours for a half hour preceding the service. After a luncheon at the church, a military service will be conducted at Vaughn Cemetery at Lake Milton.