Wayne E. Mader

Wayne Eugene Mader, 84, of Dunkirk, Indiana, went home to the Lord on Friday, March 22, 2019, after a sudden illness at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Wayne was born in Muncie, Indiana, on Sept. 15, 1934, a son of the late Minnie Lou (Owens) and Herschel Mader. Wayne graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1952. He later received his associate’s degree in agriculture from Ivy Tech University.

Wayne was a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served 21 years as an aviation mechanic, weight and balance engineer, and a typhoon chaser while stationed at Guam. He was a member of the Dunkirk American Legion Post 227 in Dunkirk, Indiana.

Wayne loved traveling, woodworking, camping and spending time at his lake cottage with his family. Wayne was a member of the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church and an avid Indiana Pacers fan.

Wayne is survived by his lovely wife Mary A. (Nauman) Mader, with whom he shared 51 fun loving years; sons Danny Sollars (wife: Kathy) and Rex Sollars; daughter Joy Westlake (husband: Dace) Mumbower; brother Harold Mader (wife: Ruth); sister Rosalie Petro (husband: Phil); sisters-in-law Lila Baker, Cathy Nauman, Kay Mader and Marguerite Mader; grandchildren Jake Sollars (wife: Megan), Lydia Staton, Matt Mader (wife: Keri), Zain Westlake, Austin Bullock (wife: Kendra), Carson Mader and Daysha Mumbower; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son Mark Mader; and brother Glen Mader.

Friends are invited to call Tuesday, March 26, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m. at MJS Mortuaries – Dunkirk Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Sugar Grove United Methodist Church in Redkey, Indiana, with Pastor Scott McClain officiating. Burial will follow in Hawk Cemetery in Yorktown, Indiana. Military Honors will be presented by the Dunkirk American Legion Post 227 and the US Air Force.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sugar Grove united Methodist Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to MJS Mortuaries – Dunkirk Chapel.