J.C. Louis Wuensche

In Loving Memory of J.C. Louis Wuensche, 31 May 1943 to 06 April 2024
It is with heavy hearts that the Ward and Lewis families announce the passing of our dear father and grandfather, J.C. Louis Wuensche, affectionately known as "Grandpa Jay," who peacefully departed from this world on April 6th, 2024, in Genola, Utah, at the age of 80, after a long and difficult battle against Parkinson's disease.
A funeral service will be held in his honor on Saturday April 13th, 2024 at 4:00pm at the Genola LDS Church: 50 N Main St. Genola, UT 84655. A viewing will be held beforehand from 2:00-3:30pm. The funeral will be followed by graveside services at the Genola City cemetery: 100 W 800 S. Genola, Utah 84655.
J.C. Louis Wuensche began life's journey on May 31, 1943, in Houston, Harris, Texas and always considered himself a Texan through and through. Though he hadn't lived there for decades, whenever anyone asked Jay where he was from, he'd quickly and proudly answer "Houston!"
Described in his high school yearbook as "short in stature, tall in brains," Jay's intellect and humility were his defining traits. As a summa cum laude graduate and salutatorian of his graduating class at Bethany Lutheran High School in Houston Texas, he excelled academically, becoming a business major at South Texas Junior College and later transferring to chemical engineering at the University of Houston. He became a lab assistant at National Lead in Houston, then an engineering aide at Monsanto Company in Texas City.
In 1963, Jay met and married Bonnie Anne McCroby, and they were married just over the Texas border in Nuevo Laredo Mexico. Several years later they moved to Bonnie's home state of Ohio and Jay began work in the new field of computer programming at Halle Brothers in Cleveland. Here the Wuensches began their family, eventually welcoming five children into their lives: Eric, Erika, Maureen, George and Ruben.
It was in Westlake Ohio that Jay and Bonnie first met with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized in 1972 and sealed as a family for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple in 1973. Their faith became a cornerstone of their lives, guiding them through both triumphs and trials. Over the years, Jay served in various callings within the church, including High Priest Group Leader, Seventies President, Temple Worker, Sunday School Teacher, Stake Missionary, Family History Consultant, High Councilman, Bishop and Stake Clerk. Jay's selfless service and unwavering dedication to his faith endeared him to all who worked with him.
In 1976, the Wuensche family moved to Batavia, Illinois, where Jay worked for nearly two decades as the Director of Merchandising systems for Marshall Field's in downtown Chicago. In 1988, Jay left Marshall Field's and began a search for a different path. He started a paint contracting business, W.B. Wuensche and Sons, and worked for Midwest Growers Supply, Sharp & Son and Action Plaster & Stucco, before finally landing in his final career.
In 1992, with all of their children grown and moved away, the Wuensches moved to the Bentonville, Arkansas area for a new adventure. Jay worked at Walmart Headquarters as a Systems Analyst and enjoyed this work until his retirement in 2008. Professionally, Jay's work was characterized by his steadfast commitment and reliability.
From his involvement in chemical engineering, data processing and systems analysis, to owning his own painting and contracting company, he approached each endeavor with consistency and a commitment to excellence. His unwavering dedication left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him.
Despite his many accomplishments, Jay always remained down-to-earth and approachable, forging lifelong friendships wherever he went. From his early years in Texas to his busy family life in Ohio and Illinois, and his later years in Arkansas and Utah, Jay left his mark in each place with his steady and quiet demeanor.
Jay has always been an avid fan of spectator sports, with a special love for the Houston Astros and Cougars, the Cleveland Browns, the Chicago Cubs, and the Arkansas Razorbacks! He enjoyed playing board games and dominoes and watching old classic westerns with good old-fashioned popcorn and a big bowl of ice cream.
After Bonnie's untimely death due to heart disease in 2007, Jay was blessed to become reacquainted with Elaine Huff Warner, a wonderful friend whom he had known from his time in Westlake, Ohio. Jay and Elaine fell in love through phone calls, emails and letters, and dates to the temple. They married on 14 February 2009 and sealed in the Oklahoma City Temple in 2010. Elaine has lovingly and devotedly cared for Jay throughout his years of fighting Parkinson's disease and has been a wonderful companion for him.
Jay's sincerity, easy-going nature, and strong work ethic endeared him to all who had the pleasure of crossing his path. Whether spending time with family, tackling home improvement projects, or indulging in his favorite pastimes, he approached life with a quiet strength and a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures it offered. His courageous battle against Parkinson's Disease for over a decade was a testament to his resilience and determination.
Despite the challenges he faced, he approached each day with grace and courage, inspiring all who knew him. His last hours were spent surrounded by his loving family, and he passed peacefully during the Saturday morning session of General Conference on April 6th, which is appropriately celebrated by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the day of the Savior's birth.
Jay is survived by a large and loving family that includes:
His devoted wife of 15 years, Elaine Huff Wuensche of Genola, Utah; his daughters Erika Wuensche Ward of Genola, Utah (husband Lonny Ward) and Maureen "Mo" Wuensche Lewis of Akron, Ohio. Stepchildren: Jill Warner Webb of Wakeman, Ohio (husband Craig Webb); Glenn Warner of LaGrange, Ohio (wife Tiffany Wacker Warner); Phillip Cumming of Lyndhurst, Ohio (wife Suzi Lewin Cumming); and Cameron Marie Warner Savage of Cedar City, Utah.
Jay's younger brother, R.J. Travis Wuensche of Phoenix, Arizona (wife Patricia Cross Wuensche), Brother and Sister-in-Law Ralph and Denise Bound of Rubicon, Wisconsin; Sisters-in-Law Margaret Ramirez Wuensche of Houston, Texas and Sharon Storey Davis of Bay City, Texas; and many nephews and nieces.
Grandchildren: Daniel Lewis of Green, Ohio (wife Ronya Habash Lewis); Kendall and Evan Lewis of Ohio; Joseph Ward of Genola, Utah (wife Ryann Reid Ward); Jessica Ward Bentley of Santaquin, Utah (husband Henry Clarence Bentley) ; Christianna Ward of Genola, Utah; Katilyn Ward Heaps of Payson, Utah (husband Nathan Heaps); Joshua Ward of Genola, Utah; Melissa Ward of Cedar City, Utah (fiancé Gabe Moyar of Payson, Utah); and Elder Steven Ward of Genola, Utah and the Santiago Chile East Mission;
Step-Grandchildren: Paige Young of Berlin Heights, Ohio (husband Dan Young), Presley Hood, Stephen Hood, Brayden Hood, and Ashdyn Webb of Wakeman, Ohio; Chase Warner of Lagrange, Ohio; Zachary and Claire Cumming of Lyndhurst, Ohio; Caitlin Beam of Cedar City, Cory Shelton of Elyria Ohio, ShawnMarie and Ashley Underwood of Cedar City. Great-grandchildren: Sophia, Iliana, and Olivia Lewis of Green, Ohio; William, Sydney, and Emilee Ward of Genola, Utah; Cleone and Noemi Heaps of Payson, Utah; Bonnie, Oliver, and Dorothy Bentley of Santaquin, Utah. Step Great-Grandchildren: Alexis and Silas of Cedar City Utah, Jaxon, Jameson, and Rylee of Berlin Hts., Ohio.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, W.B. Louis Wuensche and Lois Louise Smith, his wife Bonnie Anne McCroby Wuensche, his older brother W.B. Louis Wuensche Jr., his two sons Eric Scott Wuensche and George Franklin Scott Wuensche MacGregor, and his foster son Ruben Vizcaya Garcia.
Services will be held in Genola, Utah on April 13, 2024, at 50 North Main Street, Genola, Utah. Viewing at 2:00 pm, Funeral service to follow at 4:00 pm. Interment at the Genola City Cemetery.