Betty Wagner

Elizabeth J. Wagner, 91, of South Haven, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2014, at the South Haven Health System.  She was born May 17, 1923, to Frank and Mary (Neibarger) Sawyer in South Haven.  She graduated from South Haven High School in 1941, and married her husband Adolph J. Wagner in 1946.  Betty worked for the City of South Haven for 21 years serving as the City Clerk.  She especially enjoyed working the elections and continued to work as an election volunteer for 14 years after she retired.  Betty was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church.  She also was a member of the South Haven Community Hospital Auxiliary, mainly working in the coffee shop, and was honored with a 20-year service pin last December.  She loved sports and especially loved watching her grandchildren play sports.  Betty enjoyed bowling and continued bowling well into her 80's.

She is preceded in death, along with her parents, by her husband Adolph Wagner, who passed in 1971, brother Franklin Sawyer and daughter-in-law Lynn Wagner.

Betty is survived by three sons John, Mike (Joyce),  and Richard (Alyson) Wagner all of South Haven; four grandchildren Todd (Holly) Wagner, Kim Pirsein, Tiffany Wagner and Roger Wagner; five great-grandchildren Maddison, Carter and Carson Wagner and Talon and London Pirsein; one brother-in-law, several sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews and friends. She is also survived by her dog, Snoopy.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 22, 2014, officiated by Pastor Stephen Small where Betty will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven.  There will be a luncheon following the service at the Moose Lodge on Wells Street in South Haven.  Memorial contributions in Betty's name can be made to the Michigan Arthritis Foundation at 3737 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.