Wayne Vaughn

Wayne A.Vaughn

Wayne A. Vaughn, age 81, of Waunakee, passed away at home on Tuesday March 22, 2016. He was born on December 6, 1934 in Mercer, WI the son of Lawrence and Lucy Vaughn nee Stephey.
Wayne grew up in Mercer WI, graduated from Mercer High School in 1954, then served in the US Navy from 1954-8. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked at Simpsons Electric where he worked with his future mother-in-law. On April 8, 1961, he married Elaine Reich, honeymooned at Niagara Falls and then lived in Park Ridge, IL where he and Elaine worked at Thompsons Bakery. After the birth of their first child, Jeff, they moved to Evanston IL where Wayne worked at the Evanston High School as a custodian and where they welcomed their next two children, Lucy and Laurel. They subsequently moved to Stevens Point, WI for a short time where he again worked as a school custodian before moving to Mercer where he held a number of jobs, including the operation of "Uncle Wayne's School Bus," transporting kindergarten students, handicapped students, athletes, and the Key Club. It was during this time that they welcomed their fourth child, David. Wayne returned to working at Simpsons Electric and the closure of this business prompted their final move to Waunakee WI in August 1990.
Again, he worked as a custodian at the University of WI, WPS and Kaltenberg Seeds. Wayne retired from his custodial work in late 1996 but he kept himself busy volunteering at Country Creek Floral delivering flowers. Wayne was a proud member of the American Legion and the VFW as well as a longtime member of the Mercer United Methodist Church and Crossroads United Methodist Church. Throughout his life he was involved in Boy Scouts, Little League, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Optimists Club, ROMEO Club and was a regular blood and plasma donor. He had a special gift for serving people, especially the elderly, in both Mercer and Waunakee, doing their shopping, driving them to appointments and just talking to them, helping them get through their day.
Wayne will be dearly missed but fondly and lovingly remembered. Wayne is survived by his wife of 54 years Elaine and their children, Jeff (Ruth Ellen), Lucy, Laurel (Ross) and David (Jennifer). He is further survived by his grandchildren Anna, Abigail, Constance and Alan as well as step-granddaughter Brianne. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, sister Margaret and brothers Kenneth and Lawrence.
Wayne's giving nature continued after his passing with the donation of his body for medical research to the UW-Wisconsin. A memorial service will be held at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Waunakee, WI on Saturday April 2, 2016 at 10:00am.
Should family and friends desire, contributions may be made in Wayne's honor to the Alzheimer's Association or Agrace Hospice Care.
Special and heartfelt thank yous go out to Agrace Hospice Care, the Crossroads UMC Silver Care Ministries team and the family at Crossroads United Methodist Church. Your assistance, support and loving care made a world of difference to this special man and his family.
Please feel free to share your comments and memories of Wayne.

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705