Wayne Rayburn

HICKMAN - Wayne A. Rayburn, 88, of Hickman, formerly of Grand Island, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Haven Manor in Hickman.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Inurnment will be at Westlawn Cemetery.

Mr. Rayburn was born Feb. 19, 1923, in rural Gibbon to Benjamin and Faye (Rider) Rayburn.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vetta Rayburn in April of 2010, and son, Kenneth Lee in October of 2009.

Survivors of the immediate family include one son and daughter-in-law, Larry Duane and Carolyn Rayburn of Lincoln; one daughter and son in law, Violet Verlene and Gerald Hendrickson of Fruitland, Idaho; eight grandchildren,12 great-grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Roland M. and Enid Rayburn of Springfield, Mo.; and a sister, Mildred Clayville, of Loma Linda, Calif.

He grew up in rural Gibbon, where he attended District 25 country school through the 8th grade, which is now located at Stuhr Museum. His father also attended the School District 25 of Buffalo County. He graduated from Shelton Academy in 1941. He worked on a farm in Buffalo County from 1941-1947. He was united in marriage to Vetta Woodard on Oct. 9, 1945, in Kearney. He was working on a farm in Buffalo County at the time of his marriage. The couple moved to Auburn in 1947, where they owned a cafe from 1947-1948. At this time they moved back to the farm at Gibbon. In 1955, they moved to Grand Island where he farmed until his retirement in 1982.

Mr. Rayburn was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Odd Fellow Lodge 22, Rebecca 58, 3 Links Club, and the Masonic Lodge 239 of Chapman. He enjoyed playing the accordion. He was an avid sportsman-hunting, fishing, trapping, etc. He played on the Gibbon baseball team. Most of all he enjoyed his family. He enjoyed people in general and was happiest with people around. He tended to be a small time artist. He sheared sheep when he was younger and had a part time clipper blade sharpening business in the later years. As mentioned before, he was always interested in music and played the piano accordion.

He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be made at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

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