Wayne Gagermeier

Wayne Gagermeier, 90, of Sidney, Ohio, died on January 27, 2021.

Wayne Gagermeier was born in 1930, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was the eldest of eight children. He married Janice in August, 1956. The couple moved first to Fort Loramie, OH and then later to Sidney where they resided until his death.  In that time, they had six children: Michael Gagermeier, Wayne (Karen) Gagermeier, Elaine Gagermeier, Diane Chisholm, Ann (Tom) Cummings, and Jim (Hameeda) Gagermeier. Wayne had 6 grandchildren: Amanda (Jon) Miller, Claire and Joey Chisholm, Maureen and Sam Cummings, and Leo Gagermeier.  He was also blessed with 2 great-grandchildren: Dorian and Anthony Miller.   

Wayne, husband to Janice for 64 years, strongly believed that education was key in life.  In everything Wayne approached, he always first made inquiries, researched, and analyzed before delving into a new project.  In fact, Wayne was a voracious reader, and could often be found with a book in his hand. It was then fitting that his life’s work was in education, working first as a teacher of History in the Fort Loramie Schools in 1957, then becoming a principal there, and finally serving as the Superintendent of Fort Loramie Schools --approximately a 20 year career there in all.  He then labored as the Assistant Superintendent of the Shelby County Schools for another 16 years, overseeing Anna, Botkins, Fairlawn, Fort Loramie, Jackson Center, and Russia Schools.  One of his greatest accomplishments while serving in that capacity was to help establish the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School that serves all of the Shelby County schools and other nearby districts for students wanting to pursue a vocational career.  He worked tirelessly to plan, organize, and finally open the school that has served this region and thousands of students for over 45 years.  

In Wayne’s spare time he loved being outdoors.  He was sometimes characterized as a “frustrated farmer”, and grew mountains of tomatoes, green peppers, and sweet corn among other vegetables in his large summer garden.  His family canned often and neighbors and coworkers benefited from the surplus regularly. If Wayne wasn’t weeding in his garden, he could be found fishing on one of the many bodies of water in the area.  He was an avid fly fisherman and even tied his own flies for over 50 years.  He most loved being on the water, savoring the tranquility and beauty of a warm Ohio evening, preferably with his dog by his side. 

Wayne served in the US Army during the Korean War, from 1950-1953, where he worked as a telecommunications specialist in Japan.  Although Wayne moved from the mountains of Pennsylvania to mid-western Ohio, he was fascinated by the history of this area and chose to write his Master’s thesis on the “History and Economic Growth of Miami County in the early 1900’s”.  His children were always so proud when they could look up and find their father’s published work in the local library.  

In keeping with their father’s wishes, a private memorial will be held outside this spring with Wayne’s family and close friends.  He will surely be at peace in his woods among the many sycamores and wildflowers. Arrangements are in the care of Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wilson Health Foundation www.wilsonhealth.org , then click the “Donate” button.  Then make a selection to the “Wayne and Janice Gagermeier Scholarship Fund”.  Contributions can also be mailed to Wilson Health Foundation, 915 W. Michigan St., Sidney, OH, 45365.  Please include “Wayne and Janice Gagermeier Scholarship” on the memo line of check.

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