A. Wayne Sellman

ATHENS - A. Wayne Sellman, 95, of Athens died Sunday, May 3, 2009, at St. John's Hospice.

Wayne was the son of James Sellman and Mary Sams Sellman and was born on November 24, 1913 in Ellsworth, IL. He grew up in the DeKalb area and for 46 years resided in Germantown Hills. He moved to Athens in 2005.

He was a graduate of Maple Park Community High School and received a diploma in accounting from Walton School of Commerce in Chicago.

He married Alice Gardner in 1934.

During World War II, Wayne served as a T/5 (Tech 5) with the 32nd Infantry Division in the Philippines and the occupation of Japan. While serving in the Philippines, he received the Bronze Star for bravery after volunteering to drive ammunition up treacherous mountain roads at night to resupply forward units under attack by the Japanese.

Wayne attended college on the G.I. Bill and received his B.A. and MBA from Bradley University in Peoria.

He married Zelda Louise Hedden on March 16, 1956, in Peoria.

Wayne was an accountant at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Peoria for 28 years and after retirement worked as a bookkeeper for B&W Auto Parts in Peoria.

He was an avid hiker and backpacker well into his 70s. Alone and with his sons, he completed over 1,900 miles on the Appalachian Trail and 250 miles on the Florida Trail, as well as shorter hikes in various other states.

For many years, he was an adult leader in the Peoria-area W.D. Boyce Council of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver for distinguished service by W.D. Boyce Council. He took special pride in seeing all five sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

He was a 65-year member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife; his sister, Dorothy Lovell; his daughter, Carolyn Dugger; his son, Thomas; and two grandchildren, Philip Hobbs and Jonathan Hobbs.

He is survived by his daughter, Marilyn (husband, Delbert) Hobbs of Weldon, IA; his sons, James (wife, Linda Hamel) of West Newton, MA, David (wife, Mary) of Athens, Daniel (wife, Aida) of Owings Mills, MD, and Jonathan (wife, Carolyn Carr) of Minneapolis, MN; fourteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his foster daughter, Michelle (husband, Gary) Foley of Washington and their four children.

Memorials may be made to Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL. A private family memorial service has not yet been scheduled.

Cremation will be accorded by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.