James W. Wagner II
James W. Wagner II
James W. Wagner II, 60, a longtime Cherry Grove, PA resident and former Fire Chief passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, with his loving family by his side, at the Rouse Estates in Youngsville, PA. He was born on Dec. 10, 1963, in Erie, PA, the son of the late James W. Wagner and Mary Louise (Washabaugh) Wagner. Jim was a 1982 graduate of Sheffield High School. He then served his country in the United States Marines from 1982 to 1985, while there he was a marksmanship instructor. He went on to attend and graduate from PA Gunsmith School in 1988. He also served in the US Army Reserves Company A 458th Eng Bn in Brookville, PA from 1989 to 1999.
Jim was a faithful member of the St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Sheffield, PA. He served as Eucharistic Minister and was a Catechism teacher. Jim faithfully attended mass every Sunday. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Jim was employed at Betts Industry from 1989 until retiring in 2015. Jim joined the Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department in junior high school. He served the fire department as President in 1982, and earned his First Responder certification in 1992 and was Fire Chief from 2001 to 2016. He was actively involved in the Warren County Fire School. He spent countless hours serving his community, Warren County, and many surrounding counties. Jim was a mentor to so many, his kindness, compassion, trust and commitment to his fellow man will never be forgotten. One could say, well done good and faithful servant.
Left behind to cherish Jim’ s memory, are his wife of 38 years, Kathryn (Weigel) Wagner of Sheffield, PA. His daughter, Jessica Benjamin, and her husband Josh, of Irvine, PA and his son, Jim Wagner, and his wife Danielle, of Cherry Grove, Pa. He is further survived by five grandchildren, James Wagner, Ryder Wagner, Lincoln Wagner, Elizabeth Benjamin, and Chloe Benjamin.
Jim’s family will welcome family and friends on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Borden Funeral Home, 203 W. Main St., in Sheffield, PA. His brother firefighters will escort him to a mass of Christian burial which will be celebrated on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 at 11 a.m., at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 7222 Route 6, Sheffield, PA, with Father Mark O’Hern as Celebrant, where at the conclusion of mass, a full military honors will be accorded by the Sheffield and Clarendon VFW and the Warren American Legion Honor Guards. (everyone please meet at the church on Monday). Following mass, a luncheon will be held at the Cherry Grove Fire Department. If anyone would like to make a food donation please deliver to the Fire Department by 9 a.m.
Jim’s family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made in his name to the Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 6045 Cherry Grove Road, Clarendon, PA 16313 or to the Rouse Estates, 701 Rouse Ave., Youngsville, Pa 16371. The family would also like to express their gratitude to the Rouse Estate and Hospice of Warren County for their kindness and care over the past few weeks.
Jim’s family has entrusted all arrangements to the care of the Borden Funeral Home, in Sheffield, PA.