Rev. Jack Homer Wagoner

Jack Homer Wagoner, (Known by many as, “Pastor Jack”) entered into the Lord’s presence at the Honor House, Illiana Medical Center, Danville, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.  A visitation will be held at Kruger Funeral Home, 10 E. Williams Street on Tuesday, December 6th from 4-7pm. Funeral Services will be conducted by the family with Rev. Ken Cameron officiating at 11am on Wednesday, December 7th at Kruger Funeral Home. Following the service, Pastor Jack will be laid to rest in Atherton Cemetery, Danville, Illinois.  

          Pastor Jack was born to Frank and Martha (Schroeder) Wagoner on November 6, 1922.  He had just celebrated his 100th birthday.  He was raised in Danville and attended Cannon Grade School and met the love of his life at Danville High School where they were in study hall together.  He married Wanda Marie Wakeland on November 29, 1941 at the Bible Gospel Center (now Danville Alliance Church) in Danville.  When the couple was first married, Jack earned his Sheet Metal Journeyman license and was working for the C&EI Railroad and because of his work on the railroad, he was exempt from going to war, however he quit his job and entered the Army.  He is a World War 2 Veteran, having had oversight of Japanese Prisoners in the Philippine Islands.   He was a Staff Motor Pool Sergeant and was awarded several medals, including two Bronze Stars for valor.   Jack hated war and was very humble about his service to our country, so much so, that much of his service he only recently shared with his family.

          Upon returning to Danville, Jack and Wanda felt called into the Ministry to leave Danville and enter St. Paul Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota where Jack held a full time job while earning his degree in Bible and Theology, studying to become a Pastor.  He graduated at the top of his class and served as Class President.  He was ordained under the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and pastored his first church in Cable, Wisconsin.  He then moved his family to become the pastor of the Alliance Church in Tyler, Minnesota.  In 1961 Pastor Jack became the pastor of First Baptist Church in Hoopeston, having moved back to the Danville area to help care for aging parents.  He and Wanda served the church in Hoopeston for over 19 years.  During those years the town had a population of 6-7,000 and Pastor Jack officiated at over 500 funerals, meeting the needs of many families. While also ministering in Hoopeston he served as Civil Defense Director, Chaplain of the Hoopeston Police Department and as Chaplain for the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department.

          After leaving the church in Hoopeston, the Wagoners moved to Greeley, Colorado to start an Alliance Church with their son and his wife.  While starting the church there, he needed to also work, so he was employed at Flat Iron Paving Company.  The Wagoners also served a year as Managers and Hosts for the Lawton, Oklahoma Servicemen’s Center where they shared their love of Christ and their love for veterans and young servicemen and their families.  After a few years, Pastor Jack and Wanda again returned to Danville where he became the pastor at Pleasant Grove Bible Chapel and was there for close to 18 years.  He had been an interim pastor at various churches when the need arose as well.  He had the distinct privilege of serving as Judge Skowronski’s bailiff for several years at the Vermilion County Courthouse, a position which he took very seriously. 

          Pastor Jack loved to garden.  He loved to work with his hands and was really a Jack of Trades, as he could do just about anything.  One of his passions was when he was able was to go hunting and fishing with his sons and their sons. Another passion he had was loving and serving the Lord and serving people.  He was one of the most selfless men ever.  He lived his life following his favorite Bible verse found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, the words of Jesus to the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”  He was a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa.  The family will deeply miss his love, his knowledge and wisdom and his strong godly influence in their lives.

          Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda of over 74 years.  Incidentally he passed away upon what would have been their 81st wedding anniversary.  Also preceding him in death were his parents, Frank and Martha Wagoner, his brothers: Russell, Ralph (Bud), Howard, and his sisters: Virginia (Sis) and June.

          Survivors include their children:  Wanetta (Rev. Dale) Groeneweg of Quito, Ecuador; Tom (Brenda) Wagoner of Tomahawk, Wisconsin;  Dawn, (Rev. Ken) Cameron of Danville, Illinois and Mark (Susan) Wagoner of Hoopeston, Illinois.  Jack had 17 grandchildren:  Luke (Karla) Groeneweg,  Loren (Janelle) Groeneweg,  Jamie (Ben) Jones,  Joshua Wagoner,  Rev. James (Megan) Cameron, John (Kelly) Cameron, Matthew (Amy) Cameron,  Daniel (Chelsea) Wagoner,  Betsy (John) McLaughlin; 17 Great Grandchildren:  Autumn Wagoner,  Micah, Caleb, Aleah, Silas Jack Cameron, Damon, Neil, Lee, Nathan Wagoner, Hannah, Benjamin, Lydia Cameron, Ava, Ethan Cameron,  Max, Benjamin Issac Groeneweg, and Charlotte McLaughlin.  Jack also leaves behind 2 special and deeply loved nieces,  Lois Jane Ellmore and Cheryl Watts, both of Covington, Indiana.

          Jack’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the Honor House VA staff for the excellent, professional and loving care given to Jack in the nearly 6 years he had resided with them. Messages and memories may be left on our website at www.krugercoanpape.com.  Memorials may be made in Pastor Jack’s name to the Danville Alliance Church, 2509 North Bowman Avenue, Danville, Illinois 61834.

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