Obituary of Msgr. Donald Wangler

Msgr. Donald R. Wangler passed away on Friday March 22, 2019 at Father Baker Manor, Orchard Park.  Born in Buffalo on June 10, 1931, he was the son of the late Charles and Marion Schmitt Wangler.  Beside his parents, Msgr. Wangler is predeceased by his brothers, Raymond and Robert Wangler.

Msgr Wangler graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Niagara University receiving a Bachelor’s Degree, Diocesan Preparatory Seminary, Buffalo, Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara University, Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora and Canisianum, Innsbruck, Austria where he was ordained July 26, 1957 by Bishop Paulus Rusch, D.D.   He returned to the Diocese of Buffalo where he served from 1957 until July 1, 2002 at Sacred Heart Mission, Angelica, Assistant, St. Mary of Sorrows, Buffalo, Assistant, St. Joseph - University, Buffalo, Assistant, St. Agatha, Buffalo, Assistant, St. James, Buffalo, Assistant, Nativity of Our Lord, Orchard Park, Chaplain, Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College), Amherst, Director of Formation, Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, Director, House of Prayer, Coordinator, Transitional Deacon Supervision Program, Pastoral Team, St. Gabriel, Blossom, Director, St. Columban Retreat House, Derby, Pastor, Holy Name of Mary, Ellicottville, Pastor, St. John the Baptist, Lockport and was Episcopal vicar, Eastern Niagara Vicariate.  In 1993, Msgr Wangler was Appointed Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II.  He also served as the Moderator for the Christian Family Movement and Moderator for the Married Couples Retreat League.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, Alhambra, Innsbruck Alumni, DePorres Club, Kolping Society and Cursillo.

Msgr. Wangler is survived by his sister, Jeanette (late Patrick) Donohue; Sister-in-law: Marilyn Wangler; nieces, Catherine Donohue, Theresa (Michael) Swanekamp, Pamela (Kevin) O’Brien and Lisa (Randy) Yerges and nephews Jeffrey (Maria) and Michael Wangler and many Grandnieces and nephews; and his Dear friend Sister Kathleen Murphy, OSF.

Calling Hours will be held Tuesday, March 26th 2-7 p.m. at Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport 14094; Msgr. Wangler will lie-in-state Wednesday, March 27th, 9-10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport 14094, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be  celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Buffalo at 10 AM.  Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.  Online condolences at www.pruddenandkandt.com.