Wayne E. Lee

1938 - 2015

Wayne E. Lee, 76

WAPAKONETA, OH - Wayne E. Lee, 76, of Wapakoneta, OH died Tuesday May 5, 2015 at his home.

Wayne was born December 27, 1938, to J. Frank and Opal (Abshire) Lee in Yorktown, Indiana. He spent his childhood growing up on their family farm.

He was a long time member of the 4-H program and was successful with his livestock, crop projects, and judging livestock at the Indiana State Fair. During his high school years, Wayne was an active member of the band, where he played the saxophone. In his youth, he was an avid sportsman. Wayne graduated from Harrison High School in 1957. He graduated from Purdue University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. During college, he was a member of Fairway Co-op. He also was a member of the Purdue Band, serving for two years as a band major and member of the Kappa Kappa Psi marching fraternity. A proud alumnus of Purdue, he eagerly followed their athletic programs and band.

Wayne married Barbara J. Cummins on June 29, 1963. They moved to Lima, Ohio, in 1963 and moved to Wapakoneta in 1964. They lived together in their current residence for more than forty-eight years.

He worked for three years for Fisher Cheese as a research technician. He worked for the County Health Departments in Auglaize and Allen counties until he retired in 1997.

A lifelong learner, he returned to school and earned a Master of Arts in Specialized Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton and was ordained as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 2005. Pastor Wayne worked as a chaplain in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since 2008, he has served as pastor of visitation at Wapakoneta First United Methodist Church.

Wayne was an active member of the church, serving as a Lay Witness Mission leader in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s; as a local Sunday School teacher and superintendent; and as a small group leader. Pastor Wayne was a member of the Order of St. Luke. He was one of the founders of God's Storehouse, a foundation that is still working to provide food and other necessities to those in need in our community, He also enjoyed gardening, travel, and playing games with his family. He was a loving father and grandfather.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Norris Lee.

He is survived by his wife, Barb; his children, Lawrence Lee, Dan (Vanessa) Lee, and Terri (Ben) Johnson; his sister, Priscilla; his brother, Paul; and his grandchildren, Emma, Noah, Simon, Marianna, Jonah, Rebekah, Alex, Sebastian, and Elyse. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Wapakoneta with the Rev. Dr. Kim Pope-Seiberling presiding and Rev. Dr. A. K. Hoover assisting. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 8, 2015 at Bayliff-Eley Funeral Home in Wapakoneta, OH.

Memorial donations can be made in Wayne's honor to God's Storehouse, St. Rita's Hospice or to the charity of your choice.