October 29, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Wagners give back in a variety of ways

Jim and Jen Wagner like to help people.

They have helped people through the pandemic at their business, Wagner Signs and Graphics. They are currently selling masks and have been open to fulfill online orders and orders for uniforms during the pandemic.

Despite working daily, the Wagners still found time to create a special birthday surprise for a family friend, Brady Johnson.

“Our neighbors and friends from across the street moved back in October, and we have been missing them terribly,” Jen said.

Johnson turned 9 during the stay-at-home order.

When Jen realized Brady’s birthday was coming up and he couldn’t have a party she knew she had to do something.

“I was brainstorming one night in the garage and realized we had leftover fireworks from our family’s annual Fourth of July get together,” she said.

Jen talked to Brady’s parents, Jay and Britney, and made plans to head out to the Johnson’s house on Brady’s birthday.

“We parked next to their field, stayed by our truck, yelled and waved Happy Birthday, and had a little fun,” Jen said.

Britney said the quarantine didn’t stop the family from celebrating Brady’s birthday.

“We just had to be creative,” she said. “We really miss seeing our family and friends, but they all helped us make Brady’s birthday one that he’ll never forget.”

Brady was sent videos, cards, small gifts, banners, signs, and of course, a very special firework celebration.

“It meant so much to us that everyone stepped up to help make this special,” Britney said. “We are blessed to live in a great community that is full of family we love and friends that we cherish. Brady won’t remember the toys that he received throughout the years, but he’ll always remember the experiences. Jim and Jen’s fireworks will be a story that he’ll always be able to share for years to come. It was a perfect birthday and some light for us during this trying time.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Former rivals give back with youth girls’ basketball program

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Growing up, Andrea Flenniken was a Spartan. Flenniken graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 1996 and played girls’ basketball...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Friends hope to help Heritage alumni battle illness

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

Heritage alumni Anya Knecht makes food for her friends, family and coworkers. She sends cards and handmade gifts to others....

Wentzloff brings Lurch to life in Addams Family

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Lili Wentzloff knows how to portray a character with few words. She is portraying Lurch, the butler of the creepy...

10 things you don’t know about me… Tammie Mabry

May 8, 2019

May 8, 2019

In honor of teacher appreciation week we asked one of our favorite teachers to tell us 10 things we didn’t...

10 things you don’t know about me… Leslie Landreth

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Leslie Landreth owner of Little Bloomers Child Care tells us 10 things we don’t know about her! This post is...

Sewing it all together: Hartman taking part in Project Run and Play

March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022

Growing up, St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman used to watch her mother and grandmother sew.They would create one-of-a-kind, custom-made clothes...

10 things you don’t know about me… Abbie Layden-Rogiers

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Each week we ask a community member to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week is Abbie Layden-Rogiers, owner...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Damler

May 27, 2022

May 27, 2022

Jeff Damler, is the Senior Vice President, Loan Officer, Branch Manager at Longview Bank in St. Joseph. Here are 10...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

SJO grad McElroy blossoms at Millikin, both in volleyball and in life

October 3, 2019

October 3, 2019

Marissa McElroy loves volleyball. And in turn, the sport has helped the St. Joseph-Ogden graduate love herself. The 6-foot-3 senior...

St. Joseph rallies to find missing dog

September 17, 2020

September 17, 2020

Operation bring Piper home is in full effect in St. Joseph. Piper, a yellow labrador retriever, went missing from the...

She’s Back! Dukeman set to get another shot at softball this summer

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Hannah Dukeman is getting a chance to play softball despite COVID-19 stealing her senior season at St. Joseph-Ogden High School....

10 things you don’t know about me with Whitney Setterdahl

November 25, 2020

November 25, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is when my youngest brother Jack was born. My brother Ben and I were eating an...

Comments
Leave a Reply