Herbert was the oldest of seven children and worked on the family farm until joining the United States Army in 1944 and serving until June 6, 1946. Afterwards he worked as a logger and then enrolled into Williamsport Technical College to pursue a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator but later left college to help his family with the logging business.
Later he was employed by Allegany County as an Allegany County Forester, where he was in charge of county parks and forests, and retired in 1988.
Herbert was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses of Wellsville. He loved to be in the woods, study trees, using his saw mill where he made a lot of sawdust, taking apart engines, playing scrabble with Ethel, his dogs, especially his miniature schnauzers, but most of all he loved his family.
Surviving in addition to his wife are their children, Myrna (Bob) Brodman of Henrietta, Dave (Emma) Wagner of Clearfield, Utah, Julie (Rick) Bray of Olean, Dale (Cindy) Wagner of Olean, Zena (Russell) Rittenhouse of Angelica, Daren (Evelyn) Wagner of Roswell, Georgia, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, a brother, Clayton Wagner of Machias, Ivy Jedrzejek of Machias, Christine Cook of Sandusky, Faith Kowalski. of Lockport and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two brothers, Harold and Albert Wagner.
Family and friends may gather from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 4, 2019 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Wellsville Kingdom Hall, 115 Chamberlain Street, Wellsville. Jack Cairns will officiate. Burial will be in Short Tract Cemetery, Short Tract.
Memorials if desired to: Wellsville Kingdom Hall, 115 Chamberlain Street, Wellsville, NY 14895
