MARION RICHARD WAGGENER, age 90, a resident of Charleston, MO and Marco Island, FL, died Monday, July 29, 2013 at 11:10 pm at St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield.

He was born April 2, 1923 in Gideon to the late Richard Garnett and Alma Geraldine Thompson Waggener. He lived in Charleston most of his life where he graduated from Charleston High School, attended Central Methodist University then received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Missouri in 1946. Following his graduation, he accepted a sales position with Firestone Tire in Akron, OH. In 1952 he returned to Charleston where as a Sinclair Station agent and Goodyear tire dealer, he opened Waggener Tire Company. In addition, as a landowner he remained active in farming until his retirement. Mr. Waggener was a dedicated, civic minded individual who unselfishly committed much time to the betterment of his community. It was while he was serving as President of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce in 1968 that the idea for the Dogwood – Azalea Festival was formed and implemented. In appreciation, Charleston named him "Man of the Year" in 1969. Governor Warren E. Hearnes appointed him to the board of the State Industrial Development Commission which provided the opportunity for him to be instrumental in bringing Gates Rubber Company to Charleston. Through his persistent drive, state and federal funding was obtained for establishment of the Mississippi County Airport and Upper Big Lake Conservation (Bob DeLaney Lake). As a member of the Charleston United Methodist Church he served on various committees and as chairman of the Administrative Board, had served as a member and former President of the Kiwanis Club, the Charleston Country Club, and was selected to be a Missouri Colonel during the Hearnes administration. He was also an avid golfer, fisherman, St. Louis Cardinal fan, and Mizzou Tiger fan.

His legacy of service to his community was preceded by his service to his country as a U.S. Army veteran of WW II. Following enlistment in March 1943, he was chosen to participate in a select Army program, A.S.T.P., in which he spent one year studying at New York University in New York City. Next, he was assigned to the 104th (Timberwolf) Division and as Sergeant of a machine gun platoon of the 415th Infantry Regiment; Marion fought with his division in France, Belgium and Germany and met the Russian Army on the Elbe River. Victory in Europe! Marion returned with his Division to the States preparing for the invasion of Japan but the A bombs were dropped, Japan surrendered and Marion returned home to Charleston.

He married Paula Choate of Hickman, KY 59 years ago on June 13, 1954. She survives at their home in Charleston.

He is also survived by two daughters and two sons in law, Sara and Kevin Chandler of Brentwood, TN and Jayne Ann and Clay Milling of Atlanta, GA; one brother and sister in law, Major General Jack and Mary Ella Drake Waggener of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Julie Chandler of Brentwood, TN, Clay and Will Milling of Atlanta, GA; one brother in law, Wendell Choate of Charleston; and eleven nieces and nephews, John (Karen) Waggener, Drake Waggener, Robert Waggener, Mary Waggener, Rik (Julie) Getty, Jan (Wesley) Burks, Don (Lisa) Getty, Hoyt (Renee) Choate, Dan (Carla) Choate, Joey (Pam) Choate, and Beth Choate.

One sister, Gerry Getty, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 2, 2013, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. at the Charleston United Methodist Church where funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am Saturday, August 3, 2013. Rev. Dan Faust of Boonville will officiate and a eulogy will be presented by Charles Brink of Charleston.

Interment will follow at the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Blair Moran, John W.L. Goodin, Bob Coon, Stephen Burke, James Marshall, Jim Moreton, Hoyt Choate, and Brad Hequembourg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the:


United Methodist Church,
1700 E. Marshall Street,
Charleston, MO 63834


Mississppi County Library,
Clara Drinkwater Newnam branch,
105 E. Marshall Street,
Charleston, MO 63834


or the charity of the donor's choice.