Henry “Hank” VanWagner, 80

Henry “Hank” VanWagner, age 80, of Imlay City, Michigan, died Thursday, September 17, 2026, at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital of Lapeer, Michigan. 

Henry Albert VanWagner was born December 19, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. He is the son of the late Harold and the late Marie VanWagner. Hank grew up in Warren, Michigan. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Class of 1963. Hank married Paulette Kurzawa on June 22, 1968, in Warren, Michigan. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War 1963-1967. Hank and Paulette lived in Texas while he was in the service before moving to Imlay City, Michigan, in 1975. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Paulette, on August 31, 2011. 

He was employed as a Machinist by Ford Motor Co. – Tractor & Engine Plant in Romeo, Michigan, before retiring in the early 2000s. Hank was employed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources while the plant was changed over from a tractor plant to an engine plant.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Imlay City.

Hank was so proud of his grandchildren and would attend their many band concerts. He liked to deer hunt and went to deer camp for more than 40 years in Gladwin and Manton, Michigan. Hank enjoyed fishing, wood working and attending classic cars shows. He owned a 1964 Fairlane.

He is survived by his sons, Mark (Anna) VanWagner of Lapeer, Michigan, and Paul (Jena) VanWagner of Kingsley, Michigan; sister, Barabara VanWagner of Clinton Township, Michigan; his grandchildren, Natalie, Madison, Niklas and Mara; and many nieces and nephews.

Hank was preceded in death by his wife, Paulette VanWagner; brother, Fred VanWagner; and his sisters, Marie Lee, Dorothy Nelson and Kathleen Kauffman.

The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main St., Imlay City, MI. The Rev. Sharon Smith, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will officiate.

The family is available for visitation 12:30-2:30 p.m., Thursday, September 24, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City. Those wishing to make memorial contributions, may direct them to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 200 N. Cedar, Imlay City, MI 48444.

Please be sure to sign our online register at muirbrothersfh.com to share condolences and memories with the Van Wagner family.