E. Wayne Newman went home to Jesus on Friday, August 9, 2024, surrounded by his family.
First and foremost, Wayne was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His life was dedicated to serving his country, his community and his church; he was an Army veteran, a respected educator/administrator, a faithful Christian and a servant of Christ and His Church. He was loved by many and left an indelible impression on all who knew him.
He was born on October 14, 1931, in Higbee, Missouri, the son of Elmer and Lou Ella (Hern) Newman. On August 31, 1957, he married Jo Westfall in Moberly, Missouri.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Jo; three daughters, Patricia Lyn (David) Bolton, Kimberly Gayle (Greg) Plett and Julie Beth Newman; his grandchildren, Amy Lyn (Aaron) Becker, Jennifer (Daniel) Chesser, Sarah Bolton, Kyle (Kelsey) Bolton and Jacob (Carolyn) Plett; and his great-grandchildren, Brody Becker, Addison Becker, Baylor Chesser, Clara Chesser and Jack Plett, who is due in December.
His parents, two brothers, Thomas Newman and Donald Newman, and a sister, Hilda Burgin, predeceased him.
Wayne grew up in Higbee, Missouri, where he graduated from Higbee High School in 1949. On July 15, 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University under the GI Bill, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and his master’s degree in counseling and mentoring. He was a teacher from 1958 to 1965 and served in administration at Truman State University from 1965 to 1995, where he served as director of financial aid, director of Upward Bound, director of professional development, and director of the community college.
Wayne described himself as fairly easy-going, not worrying about much and taking things as they came. He also said he had good administrative skills to organize and give directions, he was a good critical thinker and a prudent decision maker.
He was a member of the Missouri Financial Aid Association (President), School College Relations (President), Cap Board of American College Testing (Member), Federal Government Committee to Determine Financial Allocations to Institutions of Higher Education Throughout Missouri (Member), Committee to Determine Missouri Program Policies (Member), and Committee to Determine Academic Progress Policies (Member). He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church for 40 years, where he served as chairman and member of many committees. Wayne and Patti came forward together to publicly accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Wayne loved gardening and playing golf. Most of all, he loved his family.
The viewing will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Playle-Rimer Millard Family Funeral Chapel. Interment will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri.
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Tunnel to Towers are suggested as memorial sites.
Arrangements are by the Playle-Rimer-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, www.playlerimermillard.com.
