Cozell Ross Wagner, 70, of West Burlington, died Monday, March 7, 2022, at his home.
Born March 31, 1951, in Burlington, he was the oldest son of Wyman and Zerlan Jones Wagner. On March 18, 1996, he married Connie Sayres at The Little Stone Chapel in the Woods in Osage Beach, Mo.
Cozell was a member of the Danville High School class of 1969 and later obtained degrees from Southeastern Community College and Western Illinois University.
Cozell worked at Danville Mill and Supply for 15 years and then, after obtaining a degree as a Microcomputer Application Specialist, taught at both the South and North Campuses of Southeastern Community College for 20 years.
Cozell enjoyed fishing, spending many evenings at Lake Geode with his wife; gardening and then canning the produce that he raised, with a passion for hot peppers; photography; stained glass; collecting and sharing recipes; and shelling on Sanibel Island. He was proud of the pond and house they built on the family farm and spent hours feeding the fish and just enjoying the view, for many years with his dog Callie at his side. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family, and never missed an opportunity to turn any event into a teaching moment.
Survivors include his wife, Connie of West Burlington; daughters, Londa Wagner of Denmark, IA, Sharla (Laurent) Bataille of France, Heidi (Ted) Pallister of Wapello, Kari (Joel) Buck of Danville, and Erin Hickman of Burlington; grandchildren, Hezekiah, Eliora, Iliana, Thelonis, Ashtin, Brentin, Madelyn, Parker, Conner, Brayton, and Elijah; his mother, of West Burlington; brothers, Dacid (Marcia) Wagner of Burlington and Frain (Lynne) Wagner of Danville. He was preceded in death by his father.
The funeral service for Mr. Wagner will be Saturday, March 12 at 2 p.m. at Lunning Chapel with the Rev. Dan Buck officiating. Interment will be in Long Creek Cemetery rural Danville. Visitation will be Friday, March 11 at Lunning Chapel from noon until 7 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorials have been established for the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House and Friends of Geode State Park.