Walter J. Wagner, Jr., 79, of Newton Lake, PA and Carbondale, PA, died Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Commonwealth Hospice at Regional Hospital, Scranton, PA, after a lengthy illness with MDS. He was the husband of the former Annette Sexton who died on June 8, 2010. They were married for 56 years. Born in Carbondale, PA, he was the son of the late Walter, Sr. and Sophie Hanusevich Wagner. He was a graduate of the Benjamin Franklin High School in Carbondale and was a Korean War veteran having served in the Army as a paratrooper. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale and the American Legion, Post 808, Rock Lake, PA. He was retired from the Pennsylvania Gas and Water Company after 42 years of service. Walter was also the owner of Walter Wagner Excavating for 50 years. The oldest of eight children, Walter was a true patriarch of his family. The Wagner's are a close bunch and Walter was always there for anyone who needed him. He was and avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed planting a huge vegetable garden every year, though in recent years, he stood by supervising with precise instructions for his son who planted it for him. Walter's grandchildren and great grandchildren were the lights of his life and they adored their Pop. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to all of the nurses and aides of Commonwealth Hospice at Regional Hospital, Dr. Martin Hyzinski, his wonderful staff and the chemo treatment unit for their kindness, care and compassion during Walter's illness. He is survived by one daughter: Terrie Locker and husband Paul of Carbondale, PA; one son: Michael Wagner, Sr. and wife Vicki of Newton Lake, PA; 6 grandchildren: Jennifer Bilsky, Michael Wagner, Jr., John Bilsky, Mandi Shaffer, Paul Locker, Jr. and Nicole Locker; 8 great grandchildren: Shayne, Seth, Emmalee, Noah, Bella, Kayla, Derek and Greyson; four brothers: Leo Wagner of Carbondale, PA, William Wagner of Montdale, PA, Gerald Wagner of Lenox, PA, and David Wagner of Carbondale, PA; two sisters: Mary Snipes of Mayfield, PA and Ann Gillette of Carbondale, PA; numerous beloved nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother: Joseph Wagner, Sr. The funeral was held Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 9:00 AM from the Carmine J. Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Farview and 41st Streets, Carbondale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM in St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 North Church Street, Carbondale, celebrated by Rev. John C. O'Bell, associate pastor. Interment with military honors, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township. Honorary Pallbearers: Jennifer Bilsky, Mandi Shaffer, Seth Wagner, Emmalee Shaffer and Noah Shaffer. Pallbearers: William Wagner, Michael Wagner, Jr., John Bilsky, Shayne O'Malley Wagner, Michael Shaffer, Hugh Doyle, Tanner Gillette, William Gillette, Sr. and William Gillette, Jr. Military honors were provided by the American Legion, Post 808, Rock Lake, PA and the Simpson Honor Guard from VFW Post 4712, Simpson, PA. Friends called Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 4-8 PM at Parise Funeral Home, Inc. Memorial contributions were made to MDS-Foundation.org, The American Red Cross, 545 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510 or St. Rose Church, 6 N. Church Street, Carbondale, PA 18407 Arrangements were entrusted to the E. A. Wade Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Carbondale. Mass 9:30 am Wednesday, January 22, 2014 St. Rose Of Lima Church, Carbondale, PA 6 North Church Street Carbondale, Pennsylvania, United States