Emma Mae Wagner

passed away peacefully, November 19, 2008 at Jasper County Hospital Alternacare, surrounded by her family. Emy was born on March 3, 1914, in Rensselaer to Charles and Belle (Phares) Lowman. Emy was a lifelong resident, graduating from Rensselaer High School with the class of ‘32. She was one of the oldest living graduates and was recently inducted into the high school’s Hall of Fame for her service to the community. She was also recently made an honorary lifetime member of the Iroquois Valley Harmonizers for outstanding service to their chapter. In April, 1936, Emy married John Michael, and together they owned and operated Michael’s Finer Foods in downtown Rensselaer until his death in 1959. Now the sole provider for her family, Emy purchased the Huddle Inn Restaurant and put her love of cooking to good use. She found joy in bringing a smile to others by sharing her famous deserts and in her service to the First Christian Church of Rensselaer. Her home was always a welcome place to her many treasured friends. She loved to dance, golf, play cards and hear a good joke. Her favorite song, “Young At Heart”, sums up the way Emy lived her life. She is survived by her children, Gayla (Chuck) Tilton of Coatesville, John (Sally) Michael of Rensselaer, and Marcy (Bill) Busse of McHenry, IL; her step-children from her marriage to Vernon Wagner, Judy (Jerry) Handley of Chesterton, Holly (Jim) Siewin and Jacob (Becky) Wagner, both of Valparaiso; and a stepdaughter from her marriage to Norman Johnston, Jeanie Johnston Butterfield of South Bend. Emy was devoted to her 20 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert Lowman, and step-children, Pat Wagner and Terry Johnston. Friends may call at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer on Friday, November 21, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Christian Church of Rensselaer at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 22, with calling one hour prior to services. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church. The family would like to extend a special expression of thanks to the staff at Oak Grove Christian Retirement Community in DeMotte, who lovingly cared for Emy these past two years.