Julia Ann Wagner, age 84, departed this earthly life, in the afternoon of August 30, 2024.
Julia, along with her husband and youngest daughter relocated to Bradenton, FL, from Bethel, OH, the summer of 1987. In June 2015, shortly after her husband passed, she moved to Sun City Center, FL, where she resided until her death. She was highly active in her lifetime, from cooking and baking, gardening, playing golf and horseshoes, bowling, working out, swimming, and rooting for the Tampa Bay Rays. Julia was a kind and loving sister, mother, "Mamaw", and friend to many, as well as a spunky, "no nonsense", classy lady. She loved 70's and 80's music, dancing, spending time with family, and drinking her morning coffee on the lanai.
Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Arlin and Nancy Amburgey (KY); her husband of 53 years, Ralph F. Wagner (FL); sister, Hettie Combs (CA); brother, James Amburgey (KY); son, Lawrence A. Mersch (FL); and stepdaughter, Joan L. Jenson (ID).
She is survived by her brother, Thomas Nickles (TX); her two daughters, Teresa L. Mersch (NJ) and Valerie A. Mabry (FL); stepson, Andrew J. Wagner, Sr. (IN); 13 grandchildren: Jayna Jenson (LA), Jay Jenson (ID), Andrew Wagner, Jr. (IN), Cecilia Costa (OH), Joel Jenson (ID), Jason Mersch (FL), Samantha Wilburn (PA), Sabrina Mersch (NJ), Steven Wagner (OH), Elizabeth "Sarah" Mersch (FL), Nicholas Reddington (SC), Joe Mabry II (FL), and Madison Mabry (FL), as well as14 great-grandchildren.
In her final days, she enjoyed spending time and sharing stories with loved ones who came to visit. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and is back in the arms of her loving husband after 9 long years apart.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The family of Julia wishes to thank the amazing Doctors and Nurses at South Shore Hospital and LifePath Hospice in Sun City Center, FL, for the excellent care they provided in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in her name may be made to Boys Town (https://www.boystown.org), The American Legion (https://www.legion.org), Shriners Children Hospital (https://donate.lovetotherescue.org), or Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org).
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
