Wayne Macomber

1935 - 2008

KEARNEY - Wayne Macomber, 73, of Kearney, formerly of Arthur and Keith Counties, passed away March 20, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Wayne was born Feb. 28, 1935, in Hyannis, the son of Reynolds and Bernice Haney Macomber. Wayne grew up on the Dumbbell Ranch and graduated from Hyannis High School.

He joined the Air Force in February 1954, serving in Japan, Taiwan, and various other Far East locations. He was honorably discharged in October 1957.

On Oct. 27, 1958, Wayne married Maryellen Morgan of Lincoln. He ranched in northeastern Arthur County for over 25 years on the Mill Camp place.

On June 6, 1982, Wayne married Lynn Ellermeier Gentleman in Ogallala. In June 1986, he moved to Ogallala and worked as a tractor-trailer driver and a general contractor.

On Sept. 23, 1995, Wayne married Merilyn Bober Stroupe of Kearney in a ceremony in Ogallala. They lived in Ogallala until June 2006 after which they lived in Kearney.

Throughout his life, Wayne loved the outdoors, partaking in hunting, fishing, trapshooting, golf, and canoeing. He was an avid card player and countless evenings throughout his life were spent with family, friends and a deck of cards playing pitch and cribbage. In his later years, he and Merilyn traveled often to visit family and friends around the country. He took great joy in attending military reunions each year.
Wayne was a member of the Everett Yates American Legion Post in Arthur. He served on the Arthur County High School board for 12 years, on the Arthur County Phone Board and the Panhandle REA Board. He was a member of the
Ogallala Moose Lodge for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Merilyn of Kearney; his children, Dennis Macomber of Lincoln, Visa and Jim Perlinger of Lincoln, Cliff and Alana Macomber of Whitman, and Joe Macomber of Phoenix, Ariz.; stepchildren, Beth, Lea, Lara,
Christine, Robb, Michael, and Tony; a brother, Jim Macomber and his wife, Barbara of Arthur; 19 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and countless friends.

A memorial has been established to the Arthur County Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to www.drauckerfh.com. Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2008, in the Arthur Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Kondy and the Rev. Ben Keene officiating.
Private inurnment will take place in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell with full military honors.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2008, at Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala.