George "Ronnie" Wagner

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He was a kind, friendly, smart, hardworking, God-fearing family man.

George Ronald "Ronnie" Wagner, 93, of Homeworth, passed away at Crandall Medical Center on November 10, 2026. He had been a resident of Copeland Oaks Assisted Living for the past three years.

He was born on November 5, 1933, to the late Lowell and Isabel (Sillery) Wagner in Guernsey County, Ohio. He was a 1951 graduate of Alliance High School. Ronnie was a talented machinist who completed his apprenticeship at Morgan Engineering in Alliance. He then worked at American Steel in Alliance and at machine shops in Warren, Ohio, and Saginaw, Michigan. He later worked at J&L Steel in Louisville, Ohio, from which he retired. Even in retirement, he continued to work at several machine shops where his expertise was needed.

Ronnie was a longtime member of Middle Sandy Presbyterian Church in Homeworth, where he served as an elder and on various committees. He could often be found in the kitchen at church dinners and making hard-tack candy. He was a former member of the Homeworth Lions Club, serving for many years as treasurer. He was honored as Lion of the Year and named a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Ronnie loved sports and coached his sons' Hot Stove baseball teams. He was an excellent bowler and golfer, making a hole in one at Westville when he was 90. He was an avid Cleveland Guardians and Browns fan, as well as an Ohio State and Mount Union fan. He held Mount Union football season tickets for many years. But West Branch sports was his greatest love. Even last basketball season, he attended many boys' and girls' games. He loved watching his children and, later, his grandchildren participate in sporting and fine arts events.

Ronnie didn't know a stranger. He was a kind, friendly, smart, hardworking, God-fearing family man who taught his children and grandchildren the meaning of a good work ethic. He could fix anything and willingly helped anyone in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Dick and Bob Wagner; son-in-law Larry Miller; grandson Tyler Wagner; and, especially missed, his wife of 68 years, Elaine Freshley. They married on September 27, 1953, and she died on February 10, 2022. They are now together again.

He is survived by his four children: Pam Miller of Homeworth; Randy (Melanie) of Willard; Andy (Cathy) of Beloit; and Amy (Lenny) Niederheiser of Louisville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Taryn (Andy) Lowe, Logan Miller, Cory Wagner, Rachel (Aaron) Gamble, Chad (Christina) Gimmi, and Brynn (Madeline) Guist; great-grandchildren Scott and Grady Gamble, Gio and Isabella Gimmi; sister Carol Ringer; sister-in-law Eleanor Carver; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank nurses Sarah and Emily; day-shift aides Melinda, Lisa, and Lori; and afternoon aides Piper and Sydney from the third-floor assisted living at Copeland Oaks for the excellent, loving care they provided Ronnie over the past three years.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, at Middle Sandy Presbyterian Church, 4306 Homeworth Road, Homeworth, Ohio, with Pastor William Saunders officiating. The family will receive visitors from 10 a.m. until noon, two hours prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to West Branch Athletics or the Middle Sandy Presbyterian Women's Group. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Sebring Chapel, (330) 938-2526, www.grfuneralhome.com.