Jerome R. "Jerry" Wagner, age 88, a resident of Wheaton, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. He was born October 15, 1933 in Strasburg, North Dakota to Steven & Elizabeth Wagner.

Jerry's childhood was very difficult. He had bouts of pneumonia, one of which landed him in the hospital. At the age of 9, Jerry contracted polio from the public pool. He was the only one who became infected. Even though the work was hard, Jerry had great fun working on his grandfather's farm. His favorite memory was driving his grandfather's truck long before he was 16 years old.

Jerry served in the Navy from 1953-1957. While in the Navy, Jerry met Milton Tack. Milt & Jerry would become life-long friends until Milt's passing in 2020. After his discharge from the Navy, Jerry attended Montana State University in Missoula on the GI Bill. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in economics.

Jerry was not able to obtain employment, so he traveled East and ended up in Chicago in the fall of 1964. Again, Milt assisted him in finding a place to live and a job at CNA Insurance. Eventually, he would be hired at the First National Bank of Chicago where he met his future wife Linda Anderson. Jerry would hold a 20 year career at the bank starting as an international economic forecaster and progressing to a loan officer. While at First National Bank of Chicago, Jerry would graduate with a Master's Degree in finance from Loyola University in Chicago.

After leaving First National, Jerry became a loan review officer at Boulevard Bank, where he met Don Berggren who was another one of Jerry's good friends until Don's passing in 2020.

In retirement, Jerry enjoyed reading, especially Westerns written by Louis L. Amour, Max Brand & Elmer Kelton. He also took great care of his rescue dogs starting with Dolli, then Abbi, and followed by Danny (who survives him). He loved his dogs immensely and found great delight with any dog who crossed his path, especially if that dog let Jerry scratch his tummy.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda; his siblings Ann (the late Bill) Dye, Lucy (the late Don) Brown, Lory (the late Lyle) Bender, Marv (Jeanne) Wagner, Jean (Roy) Bare, Bill Wagner, Linda (Gary) Theisen, and Judy (John) Klier. Also survived by many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Al (Gretchen) Wagner, Isabella Wagner, Frances Wagner, and John Wagner.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, Illinois 60187.

Interment with Military Honors will be held privately at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Rd., Elwood, Illinois 60421.

Memorial gifts may be directed to PAWS Chicago, 1997 N. Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60614.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.