Funeral service for the late W.Herbert Wagar of Sturgis. Beloved husband of Gladys Wagar, will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home. Interment to follow in the Sturgis Community Cemetery  Friends so wishing may make memorial  donations to the Sturgis Care home or a charity of ones choice

Wesley Herbert Wagar was born on July 28, 1921 at Empress, Alta.  Herb was the second son of Elmer and Esther Wagar.  He had three brothers – Bryden, Art and Jack.  Elmer and Esther homesteaded in the Mayfield District near Empress, Alta.  He received his education at Mayfield School.

In 1937, at the age of 16, the family moved to the Endeavour area to continue farming.  As a young man, one of his favorite pastimes was cleaning the snow off of the river to play hockey with the Mills and Crozier boys.

In 1939, the family moved to the Sturgis area and continued farming.  Herb worked for the Darbyshires in the lumber camp at Flin Flon until he joined the army in 1942.

At Camp Shilo, near Brandon, Man., Herb served as a sergeant in the army.  He was a motorcycle and armored vehicle driving instructor and mechanic.

While in the army, he met Gladys Patterson of Roland, Man. who was in the Canadian Womens Army Corps. They were both discharged in April of 1946 and were married on July 10, 1946 making their home in Sturgis.

Herb worked for Frank Lemcke and later for Leo Prekaski.  In 1956, he purchased both the GMC and Cockshutt dealerships from Leo and operated the business as Wagar Motors.  In 1963, Herb purchased the former John Deere building having it moved from Endeavour to Sturgis and started Wagar Farm Equipment.

Herb operated both business with his sons – Ron at Wagar Farm Equipment and Calvin at Wagar Motors.  Wagar Motors was destroyed by fire on July 10, 1976.  The former Don Phelan garage was purchased and Wagar Motors continued until closing in October of 1987.  Wagar Farm Equipment operated until March of 2007.

Herb was active in many aspects in his community of Sturgis.  He served as town councilor for 26 years, the fire department, minor and senior hockey, the curling club, the Legion, Sports and Rodeo and the R.E.A.D. club.  He loved to hunt, fish, golf, curl and play ball.

Herb served as an Elder with Global Missions and was actively involved in his church assembly.  His faith and dedication to God was strong and never wavered.  He was always available to help in any of the churches and in the community.

Herb passed away peacefully in the Preeceville Hospital in the early morning hours on Saturday, May 31, 2014.  He was predeceased by his Mother Esther, his Father Elmer, his Brothers Bryden, Art and Jack and his Grandson Mark.

Herb is survived by Gladys, his loving wife of nearly 68 years,  his children Ron (Barb), Marilyn (Dean), Maureen (David) and Calvin (Cheryl); 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, 3 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

 Service Information