Wilma Hagar Dies of Polio; First in City

Mrs. Wilma Gardner Hagar, 30, of W. Cushing Ave, Decatur, Illinois died of Polio at  noon yesterday in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.

She entered City Public Hospital here July 25 and was transferred to the Springfield hospital as an iron lung patient July 31. This is Macon County’s first polio fatality of the year. Mrs. Hagar’s illness was the third case of polio reported here this year. Six other cases have been reported since, plus one unconfirmed case.

A native of Olney, Mrs. Hagar had lived in Decatur for nearly five years. She was born in Olney, May 21, 1924, a daughter of William R. and Marie F. (Crum) Gardner. She was married to Nelson F. Hagar August 2, 1947 in Plattsburg, N.Y.

The Decatur Herald (IL) - Tuesday, August 24, 1954

Mrs. Wilma Gardner Hagar, 30 of Decatur, Illinois died August 23, 1954 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield of polio.

Mrs. Hagar is the wife of Nelson F. Hagar of 754 West Cushing St., Decatur, Illinois.  Mr. Hagar is an agent for the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

Mrs. Hagar is survived by her husband; two children, Terry N. age 5 and Steven R. age 20 months; her mother, Mrs. William (Marie) Gardner; a sister, Miss Lillian Gardner and a brother, William Gardner, Jr.

Funeral services and burial will take place in Olney, Illinois.

Published in Plattsburgh Press-Republican ~ Wednesday, August 25, 1954