Wayne L. Hodson

LERNA, IL – Wayne Hodson, age58 of Lerna, IL, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, September 8, 2013 while apatient at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, and following his battle withcancer.   His family and church family will host aCelebration of Life Service at Salisbury Church located at 2350 Madison Avenuein Charleston on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  A service celebrating Wayne's life was heldearlier in Mina, SD on Saturday, September 14, 2013 and was followed by burialin the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Ipswich, SD. 

Wayne was born on April 12,1955 in Ipswich, SD to the late Leonard and Ruby (Frazier) Hodson.  He graduated from South Dakota StateUniversity in 1977 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He then moved to Kankakee, IL to work forSwift Foods.  He married Patricia Owens onAugust 23, 1980 and in 1982 they made the move to Lerna, IL as Wayne accepted aposition with Kal Kan Pet Foods as a project engineer, a position he held until2012.  

Wayne loved to camp, boat andtake road trips with his wife and three sons. He also enjoyed target shooting and hunting, designing and woodworking,and spending time on his tractors. Laughing, trading stories, and spending time with his family and friendsmade him happy.  His brother Dale enjoyedhis visits to the family farm in South Dakota for hunting, fishing and familytime.  Wayne taught him many things andwas his best friend.  He was an activemember of Salisbury Church in Charleston, as well as an active participant inWalk to Emmaus, Great Banquet and Chrysalis spiritual renewal communities.  Serving God by helping people was hisgreatest passion. 

Wayne loved and cherished hiswife and sons, and his memory will always be treasured in their hearts.  They feel so blessed to have been loved byWayne.  He is survived by his wife Pat;three sons, Joshua of Boston, MA, Adam and Eric of Charleston; a brother, Dale(Myra) Hodson of Ipswich and Myra's mother, Betty Fillbach; two nieces, Kristin(Shane) Molitor and children of Madison, SD and Ashley (Matt) Badenhorst andchildren of Ipswich.  He is also survivedby his aunts, Marjorie Wipf, Joan Hodson and Marian Jones; his uncles, ChesterOpland and James Jones; and many cousins including special cousin, SharronGriffith.  He is also survived by Pat'sfamily who loved him very much. 

In addition to his parents hewas preceded in death by his stepfather, Merritt Jones, Aunt Irene Opland,Uncle Bob Hodson, his grandparents and step-grandfather, a special cousin,Yvonne Griffith, and fathers-in-law, Carl Peters and Robert Owens. 

Wayne will be greatly missedby all of his family and friends in South Dakota and Illinois.  In place of flowers, donations in memory ofWayne may be made to House of Abraham Orphanage in Haiti where Waynevolunteered.  Please make checks payableto "ISLEGO – House of Abraham" and in the memo please put "For the Children".  Gifts may be mailed in care of Adams FuneralChapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.