Daniel Franklin Wagner, 72, of Hallettsville, went to be with his heavenly Father on April 3, 2022.  The fourth of six brothers, he was born on February 13, 1950, to Willie and Lillie Wagner of Hallettsville, TX. He married Beverly Ann Hoffer on June 27, 1970, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.  They were blessed with three children, Cory (Wagner) Davis, Jaime (Wagner) Flynn, and Joel Wagner.

Growing up, Daniel worked on his family's farm in Hallettsville.  Picking cotton in the fields and helping around the farm, he learned the value of hard work from his parents.  He applied this same work ethic in everything he did and instilled that same work ethic in his children and grandchildren.

Daniel graduated from Hallettsville High School in 1968.  After high school, he attended Victoria College two years before transferring to Sam Houston State University.  Daniel became the first in his family to graduate college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching in 1972, and a Master of Arts, also from Sam Houston State University, in 1974.

Upon graduation, his first job was teaching mathematics at Stroman High School, before fulfilling his dream of teaching at the college level when he accepted a position teaching at Victoria College.  Over the span of 40 years, Daniel spent more than 25 years teaching math to students at both Victoria College and Blinn College in Schulenburg.  During his tenure at Blinn, he even taught inmates at the Wallace Pack Unit in Navasota. Many of his former students still remark on "Mr. Wagner's" jokes, singing in class, and stories about his family.  His dedication to his job and his students earned him the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award in 2005.  He retired from teaching in 2015.

In the midst of his teaching career, he took a break from teaching and went to work for his father-in-law, Leo Hoffer, at Hoffer Truck Company in 1978.  In 1999, he accepted an offer to return to teaching full-time, but he never left the business completely.  He maintained a role in the Hoffer family businesses part-time, on days off and in the evenings.  Daniel returned to the Hoffer family businesses full-time after his retirement from teaching.  In total, he dedicated over 44 years to Hoffer Truck Company and Hoffer's Drive-In Grocery.

Daniel was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and mentor.  Nothing was more important than family.  He always felt that his wife, children and grandchildren were his greatest treasure.   As his children were growing up, no event was unimportant, and no distance was too far.  Whether it was the ball field, the track, or the gymnasium, Daniel and Beverly could always be found in the bleachers or on the sidelines at each of their children's activities.  The trips didn't stop with their children, and the tradition continued with the addition of grandchildren.  No matter the event, be it football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross-country, track-and-field, dance, cheer, choir, or livestock shows, Daniel and Beverly could regularly be found in the stands cheering on their grandchildren.  His dedication to education was also something that he instilled in his children and grandchildren.  He was adamant in his belief that, "Education is something that can never be taken away from you," and took joy in tutoring his own children, grandchildren, and even his children's friends.

Daniel was a devout member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he served as a Lector and an Extraordinary Minister of Communion.  He and Beverly also could be found at Sacred Heart's Perpetual Adoration Chapel every Sunday night.  Daniel also served over 50 years selling meal tickets at the fall and spring Church picnics each year, and was a Honorary Life Member of Knights of Columbus Council #2433. He was also very devoted to Sacred Heart School, serving on the school board for numerous terms, driving a school bus to school events, and facilitating the air conditioning of the school.

Daniel was also very active in the Hallettsville community serving as a past Director for the Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce, and past Director and President of the Lavaca Medical Center Board of Directors, as well as a manager and coach for numerous Little League teams.

Daniel is survived by:  his wife of 51 years, Beverly; daughters, Cory Davis and Jaime Flynn (Pat); son Joel Wagner (Holly); brothers Harvey Wagner (Patricia), John Wagner (Jama), Larry Wagner (Michele), Pat Wagner (Debbie); sister-in-law Mary Wagner; six grandchildren, Logan, Aubrey, and Paige Davis, Lauren and Erin Flynn, and Jaycee Staggs.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents and brother Willie Wagner Jr.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Friday, April 8, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville, TX. Visitation starting at 5 pm, Thursday with Rosary starting at 7 pm, at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Robert Grahmann, Jimmy Kouba, Thomas Janak, Bobby Filip, Heath Hale, Dusty Woytek, Brandon Woytek, Dustan Wagner. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: Sacred Heart School Operating Fund or Donor's Choice.