Ronald E. Wayne, of Antigo, died Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. He was 81 years old. He was born on October 25, 1933 in Albert Lea, MN a son of the late Alvin and Elsie (Prantner) Wayne. He married Louise Valentyn on June 6, 1953 in Faribault, MN. She preceded him in death on June 5, 2014.

He was a graduate of Faribault High School with the class of 1952. Mr. Wayne was the Minnesota State Wrestling Champion of 1952 and was later inducted into the Faribault High School Hall of Fame.

He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was a member of the Navy Wrestling Team.

Mr. Wayne worked in Milwaukee as a mechanical engineer at Speaker Sortation Systems and was also a volunteer fireman and EMT in Butler, WI. In 1976 he moved to Antigo and worked for NorTech as a Mechanical Engineer for seven years. He later worked at Lakeside Market during his retirement years.

Mr. Wayne enjoyed family camping trips, hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling and woodworking.

Survivors include two sons, Randy (Edie) Wayne, San Diego, CA and Chris Wayne, Milwaukee; two daughters, Mary Lou (Jeff) Paulson, Antigo and Rebecca (fiancé Dan Barta) Piper, East Troy; three grandchildren, Brian (Kristin) Paulson, Rhinelander, Jennifer (Tony) Stuber, Shawano, Brittney Piper, East Troy; six great-grandchildren, Ella, Connor and Ian Stuber, McKenzie, Madalyn and Mason Paulson; a sister, Roberta (Ken) Zak, Owatonna, MN; two brothers, Raymond Wayne, Owatonna, MN and Robert (Barbara) Wayne, Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law, Terry Wayne, MN; brother-in-law, Jerome Valentyn, Faribault, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by three sisters, Ramona (Arlen) Dittman, Shirley Valentyn, Judy Gregor; a brother, William Wayne; and a sister-in-law, Ida Wayne.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. David Schmidt officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church in Hoffmann Hall. Antigo veterans will conduct military honors at the church following the Mass.

Special thanks to Rev. Charles Hoffmann, Annie T., Jill (Hands with Heart), all the staff at Antigo Hospital, Wausau Hospital, Homme Home Rehabilitation, and Aspirus Hospice House for providing loving care to Ron and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Wayne’s name may be given to Aspirus Hospice House, 530 N. 32nd Ave., Wausau, WI 54401.