Straight, Dr. Ivan Wayne

Dr. Ivan Wayne Straight, 84, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.

The son of Joseph and Norma (Lighter) Straight, Wayne was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Langdon, Iowa. Wayne served his country in the U.S. Army from 1946 -1948. He attended Buena Vista College and went on to graduate from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1953. He practiced optometry in Webster City, Iowa from 1954 until 1963 when he moved to Newton. On June 26, 1964, Wayne was united in marriage with Ann Mills in Omaha, Neb. He practiced in Newton until his retirement in 1996.

Wayne was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed gardening, reading, singing with In Persons and the First United Methodist Church Choir. He was very active in the Newton Community Theatre and the Newton Noon Kiwanis. He was an active board member of Project AWAKE and the Newton Arboretum. He was a member of the Iowa Optometric Association. Among his favorite memories were family camping trips throughout the United States and Canada.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Lyle Simpson; his brother-in-law, Robert Steig; and a son-in-law, Jim Skarda.

Those left to honor Wayne's memory include his wife, Ann Straight of Newton; his sister, Francis Steig of Webster City; his children, Jennifer Skarda of Iowa City, Julie (Lee) Gunderson of Algona, Joseph (Lee) Straight of Puyallup, Wash., Janet Gillam of Cedar Rapids, Guy (Sherri) Mills of Highland Village, Texas, Richard (Donna) Straight of Lincoln, Neb., and Christine (Ron) Roling of Springfield, Mo.; his 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at First United Methodist Church in Newton. The family will greet friends following the memorial service at the church.

Memorials may be designated to the Newton Arboretum or First United Methodist Church and may be left at the church or at Pence-Reese Funeral Home.

Published Dec. 9, 2012 in The Gazette