Roberta Eileen Wagner, 90, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. Wagner was the daughter of Robert and Odelia McFarland, born Jan. 18, 1929 in Mount Carmel, Ill. Wagner moved to Kokomo where she married Paul Wagner in 1954. Wagner went on to graduate with her associate’s degree in nursing from Indiana University-Kokomo. She worked as a registered nurse in the psychiatric ward at Howard Community Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital. Wagner had a particular interest in mental health and mental health awareness after her son, Steve, suffered from schizophrenia. That motivated Wagner to serve on the Mental Health Association both as a board member and president during the 1990s. She also served as an advocate with the National Alliance on Mental Health. Fellow mental health advocates credit Wagner with spearheading an effort to train police officers with how to deal with people suffering from mental illnesses during calls for service. They say this training is now used with all police and sheriff’s deputies in Howard County today. Advocates also say Wagner led classes with Journey of Hope to help support families with loved ones who suffered from mental illnesses. In her spare time, Wagner also enjoyed music and was a member of the Kokomo Symphonic Choir.

Wagner leaves behind four children, Jim Wagner, Susan Wagner, Janice (Wagner) Nelson and Kathy Wagner along with eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Those who precede Wagner in death are her husband, Paul Wagner, and her son, Steve Wagner.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mental Health America.