Wayne Charles Zweifel, 89, of Waldo, Kansas, died on Friday, April 02, 2021, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
Wayne Charles Zweifel was born on June 1, 1931, one of seven children born to Earl and Alice (Fletch) Zweifel. He died in the hospital surrounded by his family on Friday, April 2, 2021. He grew up on the family farm south of Waldo, Kansas. Wayne was united in marriage to Meg (Margaret Francis) at her parents’ home in rural Lucas, Kansas on Feb. 6, 1955. This union was blessed with five children: Steven Wayne, Sheila Jean, Sherry Kay, Shelly May and Bradley Charles.
Wayne graduated from Waldo High School in May of 1949. He attended Fort Hays College and then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and was stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War. He was Honorably discharged as Airman First Class in December of 1953. He was a Life member of Russell Post #6240 Veterans of Foreign War and the Russell American Legion Post #99. He received the Bankers Award for the shelter belt he planted and also received an award for the Top Quality seed wheat in 2010.
He started farming with his father in the 1950’s. Wayne had a great sense of humor and was always a kind and helpful neighbor and friend. He often told his children that if you have a job you love, you’ll never do another day of work in your life. And his career was truly his life. He loved farming and taking care of cattle was his greatest joy. He was a member of the Amhearst Methodist Church and was baptized in September of 1931.
Surviving family include: his wife Meg of 66 years, daughters Sheila (Greg) Hinman – Lewis, Kansas; Sherry (Dale) Pruter – Great Bend, Kansas; Shelly (Ron) Post – Great Bend, Kansas and son Bradley (Beth) Zweifel – Waldo, Kansas. Grandchildren include: Jeannie (Casey) Grimme, Jeff Hinman, Jessica Hinman (Bryce Brown), Luke Pruter (Maggie Walters), Audra (Eric) Rostine, Holly (Eric) Johnson, Megan (Ross) McGuire, Alisha (Mathew) Livingston, Carol Joyce (C.J.) Ridgley, and Payton Zweifel. Great-Grandchildren include: Connor and Claire Grimme, Hudson and Hazel Hinman, Kaiden and Kenzie Rostine, Sheridan and Clayton Johnson, Amelia McGuire, Wesley, Lily and Eliza Livingston. Wayne’s sisters include: Carol Shaffer, Marilyn Ewing, Sharon Mixer, (Terry), Glenda Anspaugh (Vic), and brother Keith Zweifel (Loretta) and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Wayne was preceded in death by his son Steven Wayne on June 12, 1968 in a tractor accident, his parents, his brother Norman Zweifel, sister-in-law Florene Zweifel, as well as his brother-in-laws: Charles Shaffer and Les Ewing. A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, April 09, 2021, at the Luray United Methodist Church in Luray, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Amherst Cemetery southwest of Luray. Military honors will be presented by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, April 08, 2021, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday evening. Memorials may be given to the Amherst United Methodist Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral services.