A graveside committal of ashes will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2006 at Twin Oaks Cemetery in Artesia for John D. Wagner, of Artesia, New Mexico.  He passed away on August 8, 2006 at his residence.  He was 70 years old. Ed Kneeland Of Vista Care Hospice will officiate.

            He was survived by his wife of over 50 years Clara A. Wagner, of the family home, and his daughter Ramona Wagner Taylor of LaPorte, TX.  He was preceded in death by his son Charles A. Wagner.

            John was born on August 13, 1935 in Pueblo, Colorado to Charles J. and Frances Pekar Wagner. He was the youngest of 9 children.  After graduating high school, he went to work at Navajo Refinery in Artesia, NM. For over 40 years he worked at the refinery until his retirement.  He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Artesia, and the Eagles Lodge of Roswell.

            Other survivors include his brother, Tommy Wagner, and his sisters, Pearl Martin, Pat Hardrick, and Francis McArthur.

            He was also preceded in death by 3 sisters, and one brother.

            In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Lung Association at National Processing Center P.O. Box 7000 Albert Lea, MN 56007-8000 or Vista Care at 611 N. Canal Carlsbad, NM 88220, or the Baptist Children’s Home at P.O. Box 629 Portales, NM 88130.

            Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory.