Alvin Walter Wagner

Alvin Walter Wagner, 84, of Rush Hill, died Saturday, August 15, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family.

Alvin was born March 22, 1942, in Mexico, Missouri, the son of Walter and Marie (Freie) Wagner. He was baptized March 27, 1942, and confirmed March 25, 1956, at St. John Lutheran Church—the small German Lutheran church on Whitley Street in Mexico.

He attended Walker (Elementary) School, a one-room school that later in life Alvin farmed and is located on Wagner Farms. Alvin graduated from Community R-VI High School in 1960. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 10, 1960, where he earned Sharpshooter and Marksman distinctions. He was honorably discharged on December 21, 1963, and continued his service with the Missouri Army National Guard until receiving his honorable discharge on November 30, 1967.

On August 22, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Jane Parker. They were the proud parents of their only child, Michael Alvin Wagner. Alvin devotedly cared for Ellen Jane during her long battle with cancer until her death on July 14, 1999.

A lifelong farmer, Alvin farmed with his dad while working evenings at A.P. Green Refractories in Mexico. He continued his love of farming with his son, Michael, and worked as a NAU crop insurance adjuster.

Alvin was an avid collector of John Deere two-cylinder tractors and served as a board member of the Vintage Green Club of Missouri. He also served as a board member of Farmers and Laborers Insurance of Audrain County for 24 years and was a member of American Legion Post #510 of Laddonia.

On November 4, 2000, he married Mary Jane “Mitzi” Meadows, who survives at the home.

Alvin is survived by his son, Michael (Heather) Wagner of Rush Hill; granddaughter, Mikyla (Jordan) Jones of Mexico; great-granddaughters, Braylie Walker and Cora Jones; stepson, Michael Scott (Ashley) Fennewald of Ashland; stepdaughter, Jodi Lynn (Gabe) Gilpin of Harrisburg; step-grandchildren, Jesse Fennewald of Mexico, Jase Deere and Addison Deere of Ashland, Jessie (Bub) Deere and Bradley Deere of Auxvasse, Darian Gilpin and Jerry Gilpin of Harrisburg; bonus granddaughter, Brittney Petree of Mexico; sisters-in-law, Barbara Parker and Julia Mann; brother-in-law, Jim Gentry; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife; his parents; his sister, Nora Marie; his brother-in-law, Albert (Pete) Moorehead; brothers-in-law, Roger Parker and Howard Mann; and sister-in-law, Mary Jo Gentry.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 20th, at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico, Missouri. Burial with military honors will follow in Laddonia Cemetery, Laddonia, Missouri. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 19th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the MU Law Veterans Clinic and Laddonia Cemetery. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.