Willard Theodore Wangler

Willard T. Wangler, age 93 of West Branch, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at the Horizon Senior Living in West Branch, MI. He was born on December 25, 1925 in West Branch, MI to Edward and Alma Wangler. Willard was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, K of C Council #8948, cemetery sexton, and Rose City Lions Club.

Willard bought the farm in 1947, while farming he was President of Red School School Board, Ogemaw County Farm Bureau, and West Branch Co-op. In 1965 he took on Allis Chalmers Farm Equipment Franchise and in 1970 sold the farm to his sons, Roger and Paul. In 1970 he built a new building on M-33 and for the next few years took on Kubota and New Holland with many other franchises, which he won several trips.

He was King Lion in the Rose City Lions Club and was in charge of Rose City Ambulance as a service for the Lions Club. He helped organize the Ogemaw County Fair and was on the first fair board. He worked to organize Antique Village and helped build the building, ran threshing machine, helped organize and operate tractor pull. He had equipment made to operate the pedal tractor pull for kids and ran kids tractor pull for 30 years until his son, Ed took it over.

Willard is survived by his children, Roger (Stephanie) Wangler of Prescott, MI, Paul (Jean) Wangler of West Branch, Marsha (Thomas) Schnautz of West Branch, Roxann (James) Moore of St. Petersburg, FL, and Edward Wangler of West Branch; 9 grandchildren and their families, Kim (Tom) Buhlman of Rose City, MI, Teri (Jeff) Greib of Plymouth, MI, Bo (Karen) Wangler of West Branch, Jason (Renee) Wangler of Saline, MI, Ted (Delta) Wangler of West Branch, John (Rachel) Raymond of Mooresville, IN, Heath Raymond of Allegan, MI, Katy (Cory) DiGiacomo of Sherman Oaks, CA and Joey (Katie) Weber of West Branch; 18 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, 1 great great great grandchild, and sister, Marlene (Roy) Wiltse of Rose City . He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, A. Irvadene Wangler, sister, Viola Neubecker, brothers, Delbert and Burt Wangler, and daughter-in-law, Kathryn Wangler.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Friday, June 14, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Father Emmanuel Finbarr will officiate. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Hospice Compassus.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com