Wayne A. Wright

Wayne A. Wright, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on March 7th, 2025. He was born in Aurora, IL., to Harry S. and Mary (Iftner) Wright.

Wayne grew up in Naperville, IL., and played football at Naperville High School. After high school, he served our country proudly in the United States Army. Later, he began working at the US Post Office in Downers Grove.

He met the love of his life, Marjorie, and they were happily married for 60 years. He helped raise her two children, Duane and Deanna, and then they were blessed with three more girls: Melinda, Anita, and Nicole. He was very active in the church at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Naperville, and later attended Plano Methodist Church.

Each year the family would load up the station wagon and head for Pittsfield, IL., to the annual Irick-Scherer Reunion. Celebrating family and fun at the old one-room schoolhouse on El Dara road. Later in life, Wayne was promoted to Postmaster of the Sandwich Post Office and the family moved to Sandwich. Wayne became active in the Sandwich Rotary, grilling Ream’s brats at the Sandwich Fair for many years. He was also active with the Community Fund raising money for local charities. But throughout his life, most of all Wayne loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, June Wright; his first wife, Virginia; his brother, Harry Wright; sisters Carol (Terry) Beck and Georgia (Ron) Scherer; father and mother-in-law, Stanley and Ethel Shuck; his sister-in-law, Jane (Bob) Kloog; his son-in-law, John Riha; nephews Harry Wright III, Allen Schultz, Glenn Beck, Lance Meyer; and niece Melissa Meyer.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie; his son Duane (Bea) Gatrel; daughters Deanna Riha, Melinda (Rick) Collins, Anita (Mike) Foster, and Nicole Horner along with 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; his sister Marilyn (Bill) Whitman and his sister-in-law Helen Wright; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service for Wayne Wright will be held Saturday March 22nd at 1:00pm at Beverage Family Funeral Home,104 Terry St., in Sandwich, IL., with Pastor Stevan Saunders officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the hour of service. The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who worked so hard helping take care of Dad. We truly appreciate you all.