Mary Foutch Wagoner
Mary Palmer Foutch Wagoner was born on January 8, 1925, in Springfield Illinois. She attended Illinois College in Jacksonville. Her first job was secretary to Mayor Buddy Kapp. During Buddy Kapp’s tenure several projects changed Springfield dramatically, including construction of Lake Springfield and the power facility, construction of the John Hay Homes, and administration of 92 federal projects (WPA, CWA, PWA). She later became Society Editor of the Springfield Journal Register newspaper. When WW2 broke out, she took a train to Chicago and became a riveter in an airplane factory and later at the munitions plant near Illiopolis. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross and the March of Dimes, an active member of Sweet Adelines, a Republican Women’s Club board member, member of the TRN club, and Illini Country Club, Panther Creek Country Club, Springfield Yacht Club, and Sangamo Club. Her father Mark Foutch Sr. was owner of the Springfield Cafeteria, and her mother Grace Foutch retired from the Department of Public Safety. She was also a big Cubs fan and was there the first night Wrigley Field turned their lights on.
Mary loved her Florida home in her later years and became active in the Arts Council activities in Lake Wales, FL, and the Bok Tower foundation activities. She loved her family, her friends, playing bridge, and reading.
Mary is preceded in death by her son David Saxon Wagoner; her Father Mark R. Foutch and Mother Grace Foutch; her two brothers, Dr. Mark R. Foutch Jr., and Edward Lewis Foutch; she is survived by her husband Richard Wagoner Sr.; sons Lawrence Edward Wagoner and wife Joanne Wagoner, Richard “Rich” Wagoner Jr.; her beloved grandson Josh and his wife Jennie reside in Sherman with their children, great grandson Jackson, Henry, and great-granddaughter Lottie; her granddaughter Lacey from Richmond, Virginia. The Wagoner’s were successful automotive dealers in the Springfield area.
Memorial Gathering: 10 am – 12 pm, Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Memorial Service: 12:00 pm, Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Father Reverend John Motis officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales, Fl. or the American Cancer Society.
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