Wayne Caughman

Henry "Wayne" Caughman, 86, of O'Fallon, IL, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Barnes Jewish West County Hospital, in St. Louis, Mo.

Wayne was born in Columbia, South Carolina on July 25, 1939. He grew up in West Columbia where he spent time with his family and worked in his father's grocery store. Wayne was a faithful friend, loving husband, father, grandfather and all-around family man. He attended every activity and event of his children and grandchildren and made lasting impressions on everyone he encountered. Everyone who knew Wayne loved him.

Wayne was an avid bowler, golfer and loved a good episode of cops. He was known for dancing, telling jokes and silly sayings, and assigning nicknames to friends and family. He had a love for vegetables, farmers markets, South Carolina and his alma mater USC Gamecocks, boiled peanuts, family, and his church. Wayne was a long time member of St Paul United Church of Christ where he lovingly served in many capacities through the years.

Wayne served his country as an Air Force officer stationed at Scott AFB. He followed his active-duty service by dedicating an additional 35 years to SAFB as an Environmental Engineer then devoted an additional 25 years to the State of Illinois EPA. Wayne worked full time until the age of 84. He was not someone who sat still - some would describe Wayne as a "fart in a skillet" – it was not uncommon for him to visit 3 to 4 grocery stores before 7am.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Morgan and Gladys Caughman (nee Sharpe); brother, Joel Caughman; daughter, Kathie Doane (nee Warchol); and son-in-law, Eric Doane.

Surviving Wayne is his loving wife, Denise Caughman (nee Wood), daughter, Beth (Mike) Staley; brother, Mike (Nancy) Caughman; sister, Harriette (Billy) Cash; sister-in-law, Carolyn Caughman; four grandchildren, Isabella Staley, Michael (Shirley) Staley, Brandon Warchol, Johnathan Doane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in Wayne's honor to St. Paul United Church of Christ; 115 W. B St., Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 11:00am to 1:00pm at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville, IL, with a memorial service immediately following.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.