Wayne peacefully joined our Heavenly Father in the early morning of February 10, 2024, in Apopka, FL. He was born August 10, 1937, to Floyd and Mary Lauraine Wesley, formerly of East Gary, IN. He was 86.
Wayne earned a BS at Ball State Teachers College in 1959. While at Ball State, he became a member of Omicron Chapter, Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, and met his lovely wife, Catherine. He earned an MA at University of Chicago in 1964, and continued studies in social sciences at Purdue University Calumet. He was a member of The American Heritage Society, Indiana Council for the Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies, and Phi Delta Kappa.
Wayne was employed by School City of Hammond for 37 years. Being an enthusiastic educator, Wayne “did it with class,” always wearing a collared shirt and a tie in his classroom. He was a teacher of social sciences and coached boys’ sports which included golf, cross country, wrestling, and track at “Tech” High School until its unfortunate closing in 1982. Wayne chose to continue his work at Clark High School until his retirement. During the summers, besides teaching, he worked at Inland Steel and Pyramids, Inc. of Hammond, a youth development program.
Wayne and his wife chose to raise their two sons in Lansing, IL. He coached Lansing Little League baseball, and was a competitive athlete, being a “road runner,” and a member of Calumet Region Striders. After Wayne and Catherine retired, they moved to Lafayette, IN. He found time to play golf, a sport he really liked, and worked at the historic Lafayette Country Club. They enjoyed attending sporting events at Purdue. Wayne was an official for many Purdue men’s and women’s cross country, and track and field meets. For the past eight years, Wayne slowed down a bit, residing with family in Apopka, FL.
He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Catherine “Tootsie” (Slanac), Winter Park, FL; two sons: Mike (Ann) Wesley, Apopka, FL, and Tom (Kristin) Wesley, Cedar Lake, IN; five grandchildren: Nathan, Nick (Yan Zhou), Ben, Ella, and Eva; and one sister: Mrs. Judith Jane Bryja, Portage, IN.
His remains are in the care of Loomis Funeral Home, Apopka, FL. No services will be held. In lieu of flowers, “don’t forget your push-ups!”