Wayne Davis

WAYNE DAVIS

Marion

Wayne L. Davis went home to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Funeral services will be at New Covenant Bible Church on Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. by Pastor Gary Deaville and Ben Eilers (grandson). The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Private family graveside services will be at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, with military honors. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.

Wayne was born Aug. 20, 1933, in Tama County, Iowa, the son of Alvin and Emma (Kellogg) Davis. He was the second of three sons and grew up on a farm in the Dunbar area. Wayne graduated from Dunbar High School in 1952 and was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Janet Harrington, on June 14, 1953. Together they raised five children and he was totally devoted to them.

He was an active member of 4-H and especially enjoyed showing cattle. After graduation, he was a member of the Iowa National Guard for six years. He was a meat manager for 35 years for several grocery stores, including Hy-Vee. He always retained his love for the farm and enjoyed reminiscing about being raised on the farm while going for a drive in the Iowa countryside.

Wayne and Janet raised their family for 25 years in Cedar Falls, where they were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church and enjoyed square dancing. They moved to Florida, where they lived for 25 years and were members of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. They returned to Iowa and are now members of New Covenant Bible Church.

Wayne's first love was his family and he enjoyed attending all of their events and activities. He also enjoyed fishing and was able to incorporate both as they went on many family vacations to Minnesota.

In his retirement years, Wayne enjoyed woodworking where he created special gifts in "Grandpa's Workshop."

For the past three years, Wayne has resided at Willow Gardens Care Center. The highlights of his week were visits from family and friends and attending church. Even though he had many complications from diabetes, Wayne always kept his strong faith, sense of humor and love for his Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs.

He is loved and survived by his wife of 61 years, Janet of Marion; his sister-in-law, Donna Allee (Davis) of Cedar Falls; his sons, Steve (Amy) Davis of West Des Moines and Ron Davis of Sycamore, Ill.; three daughters, Cheryl (Dave) Eilers of Cedar Rapids, Sandra (Craig) Gero of Lake Worth, Fla., and Susan (Calvin) Burrichter of Brentwood, Tenn.; two former daughters-in-law, Brigitte Davis of Coppell, Texas, and Danette Paulding-Davis of Kansas City, Mo.; 14 grandchildren, Stephanie, Jordan and Sam Davis, Hollyn and Allie Spikes, Kaitlyn (Shane) Edwards, Benjamin (Sharon) Eilers, Sarah (Jonathan) Bunjer, Dan (Chelsea) Eilers, Ashley (Adam) Brown, Bradley (Jessie) Gero, Mackenzie Davis, Kaitlyn and Nicholas Burrichter; and 10 great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sister-in-law, Roger and Dean (Sandy) Davis; and a great-grandchild. (Baby Bunjer).

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of both Willow Gardens Care Center and St. Luke's Hospice Center for their excellent and loving care of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Willow Gardens Care Center (Resident Entertainment Fund).

Please share a memory of Wayne at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.