Wayne Mowrer Newport

It is with deep sorrow that we report the death of Wayne Mowrer Newport, long-time Davenport attorney. Wayne passed away at his home in Bettendorf on February 20, 2005.Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 23, at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. A celebration of life service will be held at the Community of Christ Church, 4221 Brady Street, Davenport, at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 24. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Wayne was born August 17, 1918, in Lake Andes, South Dakota, son of Walter A. Newport and Catherine (Cook) Newport. He spent most of his life in the Davenport area.
After graduating from Davenport Central High School, Wayne graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, class of 1941. He served in World War II as a gunnery officer and later as Lieutenant Commander of destroyers, the USS Porter and the USS Gregory.
On May 31, 1942, he married Mereda Best in Berkeley, California. After the war they moved back to Iowa where he attended the University of Iowa law school, graduating in the spring of 1952. He set up practice with his brother Walter and served many people in Davenport and the surrounding rural areas as their attorney for 50 years.
Wayne and Mereda and their children lived in Davenport, Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley. They were active members of the Community of Christ Church, where Wayne served as Patriarch. Wayne was past president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Cancer Society and served that organization for many years. Wayne and Mereda enjoyed 56 years of happiness together.
After Mereda's death, Wayne married Betty Nyberg. They divided their time between Bettendorf and Sun City, Arizona. Last October they celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary. In spite of Wayne declining health, they continued to enjoy spending time with their families, friends and one another.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Sharon (Don) Heimbuch, of Mason City, Iowa, Steve (Cheryl) Newport, of Bettendorf, Iowa, Rebecca (Doug) Gregory, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Gale (Johnny) Newport, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Heather (Devon Weide) Heimbuch, Heidi Heimbuch, Rob (Dana) Heimbuch, Matt and Stephanie Newport, Angela, Daniel and Rachael Gregory, and Brian and Michael Newport; great-grandchildren, Mara and Max Heimbuch; his brother, Walter (Mildred) Newport; several nieces and nephews; and Betty's children, Roger (Arlene) Nyberg and Paula (Dale) Schrad, and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mereda, and their son, Johnny.
Online condolences may be expressed to Mr. Newport's family by visiting his obituary at www.weertsfh.com.