Wayne H. STAYSKAL

STAYSKAL, Wayne H.

86, passed away Nov. 20, 2018 at Windsor Park Manor. He was born in Oak Park, IL, Dec. 11, 1931. Wayne was a 1950 graduate of Steinmetz High School. He served our nation in the Air Force, spending a period of time stationed in Paris, France. He married the love of his life, Helen, on Sept. 21, 1951. With the nudging of Helen, and while driving a taxi in the city of Chicago, he enrolled in and then graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts in 1956. He was the Art Director for Chicago American from 1957-67. After his mentor, Vaughn Shoemaker, retired, Wayne became the Chief Cartoonist for the Chicago American. When the Chicago American went out of business in 1972, Wayne was employed as the Editorial Cartoonist with the Chicago Tribune from 1972 to 1984. He was the Editorial Cartoonist for the Tampa Tribune from 1984 to 2004, and his cartoons continued to be syndicated worldwide until his retirement in 2010. It was said of Wayne, "For four decades, Stayskal's distinctive, loose style and razor-sharp wit have thrilled his admirers, enraged his political targets, and explored the frontiers of political satire. In short, Stayskal embodies those qualities that make a great newspaper cartoonist: He draws both blood and laughs." His good friend Cal Thomas has honored Wayne by saying, "I think he has been one of the greatest cartoonist/commentators of our time, especially on matters touching on faith and culture." He gave his life serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, loving his wife and pouring into his children. He will be greatly missed. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mary Stejskal; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce and Myrtle Lindsay; his sister-in-law, Dorothy (Lindsay) Hornbaker; and his brothers-in-law, Murton Somerville and Russell Hornbaker. Wayne is survived by his wife, Helen Stayskal; sons, Robert (Val) Stayskal of Cave Creek, AZ, John (Tracy) Stayskal of Nolensville, TN, Bill (Nicole) Stayskal of Beaumont, CA and Dan (Sarah) Stayskal of Lakeland, FL. He is the beloved grandfather to Robert (Ashley), Joshua (Leanne) and Lyndsi (Hal) (Robert and Val), Luke, Paul and Timothy (John and Tracy), Kalie and Joshua (Molly), (Bill and Nicole), and Benjamin, Abigail, Elizabeth, Rebekah, Lydia, Simeon and Anna (Dan and Sarah). He is also the uncle to several nieces and nephews and great-grandfather to three. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 at 10 am at the Windsor Park Retirement Community at 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).