James H. Wagner, 92, formerly of Bethlehem, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Lutheran Home at Topton where he resided. He was the husband of Dorothy B. (Bargmann) Wagner, who died in 1985.

Born in Mohrsville, he was the son of the late Edgar F. and Joyce (Dise) Wagner. James was a 1941 graduate of Reading High School. After high school, he attended Gettysburg College, before serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Following the war, he returned to Gettysburg College, graduating in 1947. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Gettysburg. James then began studying at the University of Pennsylvania. He left Penn to study at Dickinson Law School, only to return to the University of Pennsylvania where he received his Master of Arts degree in Political Science.

James worked as the Registrar for thirty-six years at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, until retiring in June 1985. After his retirement, he was named Registrar Emeritus. James was a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admission; a member and former president of the Regional Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admission; and a member of Delaware Valley Chapter of ACROA. He served on committees within the associations and also was a presenter at their conferences. James received honorary membership into the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. He was a Northampton County Republican Committeeman for many years; and a member of the Berks County Genealogical Society for many years. James was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, where was a former member of church council serving as president twice; and taught the Adult Sunday School class.

James is survived by two daughters: Jeanne A. Wagner, Enola; and Joan W. (Wagner), wife of Carl Schneider, Whitmore Lake, Michigan; and one brother: Gerald D. Wagner, and his wife Joanne, Wyomissing. He was predeceased by a daughter: Judith L. Wagner, who died February 15, 1962; one brother: Eugene F. Wagner; and two sisters: Harriet E. Wagner; and Marion W. (Wagner) Dougherty.

Services will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm from the Auditorium at Lutheran Home at Topton. Burial will follow in Birch Hill Cemetery, Perry Twp. A viewing will be held in the auditorium from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Birch Hill Cemetery, c/o John Santilli, 19 2nd Street, Shoemakersville, PA 19555. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.