LaWayne Weinard

LAWAYNE WEINARD

West Liberty

LaWayne F. Weinard, 88, of West Liberty, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at Simpson Memorial Home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty. Visitation will be

from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Memory Gardens in Iowa City.

LaWayne was born in West Liberty on May 2, 1925, the son of Carl J. Weinard Sr. and Gertrude (Parsons) Weinard. He lived in the West Liberty area most of his life. In 1943, he graduated from West Liberty High School, where he was salutatorian and president of his senior class. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1944 to 1946, at one point being stationed in Australia.

In 1947, he married Ruth Hay in Iowa City; they divorced in 1978. LaWayne and Ruth had five children. LaWayne later married Cynthia Edwards.

LaWayne was an automotive mechanic much of his life and attended many specialty training programs. He also worked in the propane gas business and as a newspaper press operator. In his later years he dismantled old farm buildings and salvaged the materials. LaWayne was well-known in his younger years for driving and maintaining Hudson cars.

He became a self-taught harmonica player in his youth and could still play great tunes up to the time of his passing. He also enjoyed traveling, following the Hawkeyes and visiting the casino.

LaWayne's motto was "Anything worth doing is worth doing well."

LaWayne's children believe he lived to become the oldest direct descendant with the surname "Weinard" to have ever resided in the state of Iowa up to the present time.

Survivors include son, Michael (Christine) Weinard of Iowa City; daughters, Laurie Schrum (Brian Bailey) of Iowa City, Wendy (Craig) Cowan of South Bend, Ind., Becky (Steve) Boley of West Liberty and Mary (Eddie) Fults of Coralville; seven grandchildren, Ethan, Rochelle, Marcy, Doug, Alex, Chase and Shelby; and three great-grandchildren, Nico, Jersey and one on the way. Also surviving are two sisters, Lotene Poulsen of West Liberty and Loretta Marchesano of Des Moines; three sisters-in-law; many nephews and nieces; and former wife, Cynthia Edwards of Portland, Ore.

He was preceded by his parents; former wife, Ruth; three brothers and two sisters.

In lieu of flowers, a general memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarker funeralhome.com

The family wishes to thank the staff of Simpson Memorial Home, Dr. Lauren Hanna, the staff of Mercy Services West Liberty, and Iowa City Hospice for the wonderful care provided to LaWayne.