John Brian Wagner

John Brian Wagner, 42, of Philadelphia, died Thursday, February 18, 2010.

He was born August 14, 1967 in Bethlehem, the son of Gloria M. Beahm Wagner of Bethlehem and the late John Bruce Wagner.

Brian will be lovingly remembered by his mother and his sisters, Laura Anne Lutton and her husband, Brian, of Culpeper, VA; and Donna Mae Dougherty and her companion, Wayne Miller, of Bethlehem; as well as his nephew, John Dougherty, niece, Amelia Wagner and her companion, Brandon, their son, Brandon, Jr., his Aunt, Doris Hughes, cousin, Gloria Kesack and her family; his longtime friend and caregiver, Melinda Moore and her family and close friend, Christopher Brown.

Brian earned his diploma from Liberty High School and was the poster child for United Cerebral Palsy.

Through his hard work and perseverance, Brian earn his independence and became the first person in the state of Pennsylvania with his disability to move out of institutional care and live in his own apartment with the help of Horizon House.

Services: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 East Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Visitation will be from 2-2:30 p.m. and again following the service from 3-4 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104