Wayne Lee Wakefield (69) of Lawrenceville

Wayne Lee Wakefield, age 69, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away at 12:16 PM Sunday, April 16, 2023, in Lawrence County, Illinois.    

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. A service of remembrance will follow the visitation. In loving memory of Wayne, memorials may be made to Wayne’s grandchildren education fund c/o Amber Wakefield and Ashley Hooten. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here. 

Wayne Lee Wakefield was born on September 17th, 1953, in Effingham County, Illinois, the son of Leroy and Marjorie (Kerner) Wakefield. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton Community High School with the class of 1971. Following high school, he went on to earn a college degree as a diesel mechanic. Wayne started working at Norris Electric and later became a Snap-on Tool Dealer and traveled the area for many years. Most proudly, he was the founder, owner, and operator of Wayne’s Tree Service, which he recently sold and retired from. Not to be out bested or have any fear of missing out on fun, Wayne was the first to rise and last to shut down whether it be work or play. Making moonshine, playing euchre, spending time on the river, and teaching his grandsons what he knew while spoiling them rotten were some of his favorite pastimes. Wayne was a member of the Flat Rock Masonic Lodge #348. He provided countless humble acts of service to friends and community members, and always had a big smile and a kind word.

Wayne is survived by: Daughters - Amber Wakefield (partner Brock Sears) of Lawrenceville, Illinois; and Ashley (Wakefield) Hooten (husband Michael) of Tallahassee, Florida; Grandchildren - Woodrow Sears, Maximus Hooten, Hootlet II (due May 1st, 2023), Anna Bickers and Bebe Sears; Sister - Sandra (Wakefield) Ward (husband Victor) of Mt Carmel, Illinois; Nephews - Jeffrey (wife Teresa) and Eric (wife Lynn) Ward; Aunt – Geneva Barber; Uncle – Larry (Delores) Kerner as well as many cousins and countless friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and several dear friends.