Wayne Warren

CONVOY a�" Wayne L. Warren, 77, of Convoy, went to his heavenly home on May 14, 2017, after a short, but courageous battle with an illness. He passed away at the James Hospital at Ohio State University with his family and close friends by his side. His deep devotion to family and firm belief in God gave him the strength throughout his fight and ultimately gave him peace. Wayne is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ellyn (Lyn) Feigert Warren; sons, Andrew Warren of Tacoma, Washington; Thomas Warren (Sara) of Winchester, Virginia; daughter, Elizabeth (Betsy) Warren of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and grandson, Andrew Warren (Grace) of St. Paul, Minnesota.

He was born April 19, 1940, in Toronto, Ohio, the only child of Thomas and Golda Warren. He graduated from Toronto High School in 1958 and joined the US Army Reserves. Following his graduation he attended Ohio Northern University from 1959 - 1961 until he was deployed to Ft. Gordon in Georgia to serve as a medic. While attending Ohio Northern, Wayne met the love of his life, Lyn and joined the Sigma Pi Fraternity where he developed lifelong friendships with his brothers.

He began his career as a civil servant with the Department of Defense in 1964 and transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1966. He continued his career for 38 more years in the federal government and retired in 2004 as the Director of Environmental Management in Washington, DC, with the Department Veterans Affairs.

Wayne was a 51-year Master Mason raised in the Toronto Lodge 583 F.& A. M. in 1967 and was also a member of the Elks Lodge. He was a devout Christian, serving as trustee of First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert.

Wayne was an avid reader with an affinity for the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain. He was passionate about the outdoors and took great pride in his yard where he could often be found gardening. Wayne's love for bird watching was definitely known by all and inadvertently rubbed-off on to his children who fondly remember going on bird watching expeditions on every family trip. As a father, Wayne volunteered as a soccer coach for all three of his children and was involved in the Boy Scouts with his two sons. He also enjoyed taking his Thunderbird out for ice cream on sunny days.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2017, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory and 10-11 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert. A combined Elk and Masonic service will be held 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Service will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert. Burial and military graveside services will be at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Organ Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert or to the Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197.