John Hageman, 90, a life time resident of Fitzgerald, Georgia, was called home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, September 28, 2016.
Funeral services will be held 3 PM, Sunday, October 2, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald, with the Reverend Dr. Gene Wilder officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, in Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends Saturday evening, from 6 PM to 8 PM, at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Hageman was born February 20, 1926, to the late Albert L. & Irene Gibbs Hageman. He was a direct descendant, great grandson, of a Union veteran and colonist who settled in Fitzgerald, in 1885. He was also a great grandson of a Confederate veteran of the Civil War, making him truly Blue and Gray, a heritage in which he took great pride.
He grew up on a farm in rural Ben Hill County, and at age 17 he joined the Navy, serving until the end of World War II, aboard the USS Register APD92, a destroyer escort. After discharge from the service, he graduated from Fitzgerald High School with the class of 1947, and soon after, he commenced a career with CSX Railroad, where he was a conductor, retiring in 1988, after 38 years. Mr. Hageman was a member of the American Legion Post 99.
A faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald, he served the church as a volunteer administrator for eight years. In 1994 he was ordained as a deacon and served as chairman of the deacons until 2000. He also served on the board of trustees, and was a member of the Baraca Sunday School Class, where he served as class president for several years.
Mr. Hageman was elected to the Fitzgerald City Council as Councilman at large for the Western district in 1998 and was reelected for three terms in that office, ending his service on December 31, 2013. During his years on the council, he served on various committees and twice as Mayor Pro Tem He served on the Board of Directors of the Blue and Gray Museum and was dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of that facility, as well as spreading the unique story of Fitzgerald across the country, during his vacation travels.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother William Hageman. He is survived by his wife of 66 years: Bernice Suggs Hageman, daughters Karen Dooley of Fitzgerald and Sandra & Ron Sweat of Macon, and three grandchildren John Sweat, Jennifer Sweat and Alison Sweat. He is also survived by two nephews, Larry & Rhonda Hageman and Ricky & Angie Hageman.