Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Charles "Butch" Wagner, 84, residing in Sandusky, passed away early Thursday afternoon, August 20, 2020 at his home after a brief illness.
Butch was born on January 25, 1936 in Sandusky, OH to the late Donald and Dorothy (Schweigart) Wagner.
Butch graduated from St. Mary's Central Catholic High School in Sandusky in 1954. He retired in 1999 from the Sandusky Register as Sports Editor after 43 years of service, and continued contributing articles for the newspaper until his last story printed on July 27, 2020. Butch was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky, the Knights of Columbus #546 and the Sandusky Elks Lodge #285. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, golfing, bowling in the Knights of Columbus League at Star Lanes, and Florida trips with his friends. One of his greatest joys was watching and reporting on local athletes throughout the years; whether it was little league baseball or high school athletics. He especially loved his family dearly, and especially enjoyed seeing his grandchildren's sporting events.
In 1989 Butch was inducted into the Ohio UPI Sports Writers Hall of Fame, and in 2000 he was inducted into both the men's and women's Sandusky Bowling Hall of Fame, where Cedar Lanes has named their tournament the "Butch Wagner Hall of Fame Tournament." He then became a member of the Mills Creek Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 having Hole #2 - "the toughest hole at Mills" - dedicated to him with a bronze plaque. Butch became a member of the Sandusky High School Hall of Fame in 2003, the St. Mary's Central Catholic Hall of Fame in 2004, and was awarded the key to the city of Sandusky in 2019.
Butch is survived by his wife, Ruth (Lippus) Wagner, whom he married on July 8, 1961; three sons, Bryan "Earl" Wagner of Toledo, Scott (Lisa) Wagner of Sandusky, and Todd (Jill) Wagner of Sandusky; eight grandchildren, Michael, Kyle, Nick, Sarah, Jordan, Erin, Emily and Jake; three great-grandchildren, Lilly, Ryder and Jude; one sister, Mary Lou Zammarrelli of North Olmsted; one brother, Bob (Carol) Wagner of Sandusky; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
In addition to his parents, Butch is preceded in death by his sister, June Sprouse.
Friends may call on Sunday, August 23, 2020 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sandusky Central Catholic Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 410 W. Jefferson St. Sandusky, Ohio. Please use the Madison Street Entrance. Masks and proper social distancing will be required. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 24, 2020 at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky with Father Joe Steinbauer presiding. Burial take place at a later date in Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky, OH.
Those wishing to contribute to Butch's memory may do so to the Charles Butch Wagner Scholarship Fund c/o SCCS 410 W. Jefferson St. Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
