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YORK Wayne Richard Douce, 85, died November 2, 2013, in York. A loving husband, father, and friend, Wayne was respected and loved for his kindness and quick wit. He was a great listener who chose his words carefully, often to share a joke. Born on April 16, 1928, Wayne was raised on a farm in Washington County, KS. In 1949 he married Waneta Rose Biery, of Rooks County, KS. Wayne completed his bachelor's degree at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, and received his law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, NE. After law school Wayne achieved the rank of first lieutenant in the Air Force working as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate at Perrin Air Force Base in Denison, TX. After Wayne completed his military service, he returned to Lincoln. There he joined the City Attorney's Office and subsequently became Deputy City Attorney. In 1956 Wayne was hired as Department Attorney for the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Wayne left Lincoln in 1961 to serve as General Counsel for Guarantee Mutual Life Insurance Company in Omaha, NE, a position he held for 29 years until he retired as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in 1990. During his retirement, Wayne continued to make significant contributions to the insurance industry by consulting with state insurance commissions across the country. As an active member of Rotary International for 36 years, Wayne served as president and secretary for the Rotary Club of Omaha-Suburban and later joined the Rotary Club of York-North when he moved with Waneta to York in 2005 to be closer to their children. Wayne became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1993. He was an active member of Mount Zion United Church of Christ and past president of Ridgerunners. In between volunteer activities with Rotary and church, Wayne liked to putter in his woodworking shop and attend meetings of the York Woodworking Club. He also enjoyed golf, gardening, model trains, and card games. Wayne and his wife Waneta took many journeys together throughout the United States and abroad. But their most cherished memories were of car trips with the entire familythe Grand Tetons in Wyoming being a favorite destination. Wayne also loved animals, books, and music, especially when he had the opportunity to share those passions with others. Wayne is survived by his wife of 64 years, Waneta Rose (Biery) Douce; his children, Donald Douce, of Manhattan, NY, Dwight Douce and his wife Jennifer Owens, of East Falmouth, MA, and Denise Douce and her husband Drew Rock of Baltimore, MD; five nieces and two nephews; and dear friends from everywhere they lived and traveled. A memorial service will be held at Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 1054 Ridgewood Rd., York, PA 17406 at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2013, preceded by visitation at 10 a.m. Memorials to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611-3201, Mount Zion United Church of Christ, 1054 Ridgewood Rd., York, PA 17406; and the Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60693 in memory of Wayne R. Douce, #433375. Etzweiler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1111 E. Market St., York is in charge of arrangements. www.etzweiler.com
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Our sympathy to you and your family. Wayne is well remembered by us, as well as his parents.
Don & Marlene Skipton
December 1, 2013
Waneta, My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Wayne will be missed by all. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Jeanette Calaman
November 23, 2013
Though I am not there with you, I want you to know how much I would like to be there! I am glad that Mary Ann and Mike are there to represent us. Uncle Wayne is special to us. I know I speak for Carol too! She would so like to be there. How special to hear about the poem in Uncle Wayne's wallet that Carol had sent to him some time ago!
I'll be praying for you! Love, Ilene
Ilene Roy
November 23, 2013
Thinking of all of you today and the wonderful memories shared by the Douces and the Ummels over so many years. Wayne's gentleness, his humor, and his deep devotion to his family and friends will be greatly missed. Much love to you all.
Dawn and John Goodlove
November 23, 2013
To Denise and her Family,
We are thinking of you with love and hoping these sad days are soon replaced with happy memories.
Joyce, Charlie, Jeannie & Colleen Sippel
Joyce Fuller Sippel
November 22, 2013
Dwight, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Jen, your Mom , Don and Denise. God bless SAM
November 21, 2013
Waneta,
We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Wayne! You have been in our thoughts since you left Omaha. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. All Our Love, Ward, Kelly and Wil Prine
Kelly Prine
November 12, 2013
Our deepest condolences to Mrs Douce, Don, Denise, Dwight and the entire extended Douce family. Although we never met Mr Douce, we feel as if we knew him from the wonderful stories Don, our dear friend, has shared with us of his dad's kindness and gentle nature. Sadly, we were never able to meet him. We will keep Mr Douce in our thoughts and prayers and pray for eternal rest. Peace and blessings, Karen and Chet Dobies
Karen and Chet Dobies
November 10, 2013
It has been an entire week and I still can't find the words You will be missed so much. Love you now and always
Lori Goebel-Orson
November 9, 2013
So glad you are at peace. So sad for the rest of us, who so selfishly didn't want you to go. The tributes to you as an uncle, father, husband, friend, go on and on. Your light will shine with us forever. Thank you for all you were to us.
Mary Ann and Mike
November 9, 2013
It is so difficult to say goodbye. May time and good memories, knowing peace has come and the love of family and friends help soothe the transition. My heart is with you.
November 7, 2013
Uncle Wayne, you were the "Best of the Best". You were the one we all looked up to and wanted to know your opinion. You always had a smile, ready to listen and gave the best advice. So glad I had the privilege to celebrate your 80th. birthday and two Douce Reunions with you in the recent past. Your memory will linger forever. I loved you so very much.
Elaine & Jim Calahan
November 6, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you, my very special extended family.
Denny Ummel
November 6, 2013
Wayne, I can't call you Dad or Uncle but I can call you family. The love and family memories you gave me will always have a special place in my heart.
My love to you, Nety, Don, Dwight and Jennifer, Denise and Drew. You are my family too. ~ Debbie
Debbie and Mark Ediger
November 5, 2013
He will be deeply missed. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Ceci
November 5, 2013
I always smile and chuckle when thinking of you showing Ken the "quarter pounder". Rest well my dear friend.
Ezraella Brody
November 5, 2013
Denise
November 5, 2013
Thanks for your Military Service to Our Country.
Past Commander V.F.W.
Bill Fead
November 5, 2013
To me Uncle Wayne was the most kind and caring person inspiring me to want to pattern myself after him.
His feelings and closeness and whatever he said to mother met so much to her.
We loved him and will miss him very much
Barb & Lowell
Barb & Lowell Shum
November 5, 2013
You are all in my thoughts.
Philip Claus
November 5, 2013
Missing my very favorite uncle. Rest in peace, Uncle Wayne.
Anita Camill
November 5, 2013
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