John Francis Wagner
John Francis Wagner passed away surrounded by his family on Feb. 12, 2025, just shy of his 85th birthday.
John was born in Havre to Charles Michael and Genevieve (Doubek) Wagner and joined an older brother, Michael.
The family moved around Montana before settling in Libby in 1950. He attended Libby public schools with the Class of 1958. John began his 44-year career in the lumber industry in 1958 in the sawmill for J. Neils Lumber Co. His career was interrupted in 1962 when he answered the call to service after being drafted. He served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a company clerk and radio operator and was honorably discharged in 1964 as a Specialist 4.
Upon his discharge, John returned to Libby and his position at J. Neils Lumber Co. He married Sandra S. Cassel in 1973 and together they raised two children, Bridgette and Jon. John and Sandy celebrated 51 years of marriage before his passing.
John continued to work for J. Neils Lumber Co., which later became St. Regis Lumber Co., and eventually Champion International and Stimson Lumber Co. In 1993, he was awarded his Master Grader lumber certificate, at the time one of only 231 in the United States, during a ceremony in San Francisco, California. He retired from Stimson as a Quality Control Supervisor in June 2002. After Sandy’s retirement in 2009, they became snowbirds, splitting their time between Libby and Goodyear, Arizona.
John was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Libby and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear, Arizona, where he served as an usher, baked communion bread, and worked on various building and maintenance projects for both congregations. He also volunteered with Nordicfest for several years and was an active member of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union Local 2581.
With help from family and friends, John and Sandy built a cabin in the Yaak and updated and remodeled five homes over the years. John will be remembered for his amazing wood-working skills; his prize-winning rose gardens; his mouthwatering huckleberry apple pies; his love of hunting and fishing; and his uncanny ability to win at every card game he ever played!
He also enjoyed spending time visiting with friends and family and returning to “the big flat” to reminisce with loved ones.
John is survived by his wife, Sandra S. Wagner of Libby; daughter and son-in-law, Bridgette and Rob Fortenberry of Chattaroy, Washington; son and daughter-in-law Jon and Danell Wagner of Libby; grandson, Nichalos Fortenberry of Clayton, Washington; granddaughter, Kelsey Fortenberry of Spokane Valley, Washington; sister-in-law Sandra M. Wagner of Libby; brothers and sisters-in-law David and Maggie Cassel of Newman Lake, Washington; and Keith and Becky Cassel of Kalispell; sister-in-law Laurie Cassel of Albany, Oregon; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; and his beloved Shiatsu, Daisy.
John was proceeded in death by his father, Charles M. Wagner; and mother and step-father, Jennie and Clayton Mejie; and brother, Michael Wagner.
Please join us in celebrating John’s life at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby.
Interment with military honors will follow at the Libby Cemetery and lunch will be provided at Christ Lutheran Church immediately after the graveside service. If you are so inclined to honor John’s life with a monetary gift, the family requests donations be made to the Libby Volunteer Ambulance Service or your favorite charity; otherwise please honor him by spending time making memories with those you hold dear, especially if that includes a hook and worm!
The family would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the Libby Volunteer Ambulance Service and the staff at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for their tremendous support and care of John and our entire family during this difficult time.