Wayne Davis
August 20, 1933 — April 7, 2015
Wayne L. Davis went home to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015. Funeral services will be held at New Covenant Bible Church on Saturday, April 11th, at 1:00 p.m. by Pastor Gary Deaville and Ben Eilers (grandson). The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown with military honors. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.
Wayne was born August 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 in Cedar Falls for 25 years 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 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”. 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, Ron Davis of Sycamore, IL, three daughters Cheryl (Dave) Eilers of Cedar Rapids, Sandra (Craig) Gero of Lake Worth, FL, Susan (Calvin) Burrichter of Brentwood, TN; two former daughters-in-law, Brigitte Davis of Coppell, TX 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 the 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).
Wayne was born August 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 in Cedar Falls for 25 years 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 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”. 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, Ron Davis of Sycamore, IL, three daughters Cheryl (Dave) Eilers of Cedar Rapids, Sandra (Craig) Gero of Lake Worth, FL, Susan (Calvin) Burrichter of Brentwood, TN; two former daughters-in-law, Brigitte Davis of Coppell, TX 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 the 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).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wayne Davis, please visit our flower store.