Leonard Wayne Hampton

CHARLESTON, IL – Leonard Wayne Hampton, age 78 of Charleston, went to his heavenly home on Friday, February 1, 2013 while a patient at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.  Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Members and guests of Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M. will conduct Masonic Rites at the close of visitation.  Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue in Charleston with Pastor Ken Hoover officiating.  Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592 will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to the American Cancer Society.  Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. 

Wayne was born on June 5, 1934 in Charleston, a son of the late Albert J. and Opal (McMahon) Hampton.  He married Linda Mullins on October 12, 1956 and they have shared and enjoyed fifty-six years of friendship and marriage.  He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Linda; three children, Teresa Fonner and husband Joe of Lerna, Greg Hampton and wife Ladine of Glendale, Arizona and Mark Hampton of Charleston; four grandchildren, Nathan Hamilton and Greg Hampton, Jr., both of Charleston, Nikki Hamilton of Mattoon and Sean Hampton of Glendale; a step-grandson, Dr. Thomas Fonner and wife Debbie of Effingham; two great-grandchildren, Bradyn and Jillian Hamilton; three step-great-grandchildren, Carson, Kendall and Will Fonner; two brothers, William Hampton and wife Grace of Charleston and Clinton "Bud" Hampton and wife Cheri of Phoenix, Arizona; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  In addition to his parents Wayne was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Hampton and a sister, Wanda Posey. 

Wayne was a United States Army Veteran and was stationed in Germany for two years. He began working at Harpster Gas Company while still a teenager and later was employed at Blaw-Knox in Mattoon.  In 1966 he began serving the Charleston community as a firefighter, and in 1976 was promoted to the rank of Captain, a position he held until his retirement in 1986.  Following his retirement he continued to work as a part-time custodian for the Lerna Elementary School.  Wayne was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a long-time member of Charleston Masonic Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M., Valley of Danville Scottish Rite and the Charleston Moose Lodge #1388.  He also served on the Charleston Fair Board, was a member of the East Central Illinois Antique Farm Equipment Club and was a former member of the Model Airplane Club. 

Wayne took advantage of the many interests and opportunities life had to offer.  He was happy when he could be outdoors – he enjoyed hunting, was an avid fisherman and always looked forward to camping trips with his family.  When the weather was nice, out came his bicycle or his Harley motorcycle – he always liked riding with the special group of motorcycle friends who met and rode every Wednesday afternoon.  Wayne enjoyed traveling with Linda – he looked forward to their trips to Arizona to visit family and their cruise to Cancun was memorable.  He loved rebuilding and restoring anything with a motor and often times Linda was at his side offering her assistance.  Some of his favorite restorations were his Cushman Motor Scooter, John Deere tractor, and his Model A Ford, which in 2010 he took to Newport, Indiana to compete in the Antique Auto Hill Climb.  He was also an avid fan of St. Louis Cardinal baseball and Dallas Cowboy football – he rarely missed watching a game. 

Wayne's family was always his priority and his friends remained dear.  The many fish fry's and wiener roasts he and Linda hosted for family and friends were always special times shared.  His friendship was genuine – he was kind and considerate of others and was always willing to lend a helping hand.  He not only spent quality time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren but he supported their activities and sporting events with his attendance and encouraging words.  The friends and family of Wayne Hampton have been blessed by his presence and the many positive ways in which he touched their lives.  He will always be fondly and lovingly remembered.Click here to view Wayne's memorial video.