Wayne Kaiser

Wayne Kaiser, 67, of Mt. Zion, IL, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday evening, November 7, 2015 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. His children were at his side.

Wayne was born in Tompkinsville, KY on July 27, 1948 the son of Virginia Deckard and Junior Burton. He was later adopted by his stepfather, Dale Ross Kaiser, and took his name. Wayne graduated from Eisenhower High School and served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.

After returning home he met Judy Roberts, and following a brief courtship they were married on January 29, 1970. They had two children, Rob and Angie, and Wayne was very proud of them. He was an involved father who played an active part in raising his children despite a demanding work schedule. In their later years, Wayne and Judy enjoyed gardening and landscaping their property on the corner of Highway 121 and Lost Bridge Road in Decatur. But most of all they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, Claire and Ben in North Carolina and Maddie in Decatur.

Wayne prided himself in being productive, useful, and purposeful. He had of hobby of restoring classic cars earlier in his life, and later he took up wood working. He was also a hard worker and committed employee. Wayne retired from ADM after a long career culminating as the Safety Director of the Cogeneration Power Plant at the Decatur facility. He remained close to many coworkers who became buddies for life. In retirement, Wayne dabbled in real estate as a licensed agent with Kevin Fritzsche's team at Brinkoetter Realty; it made him happy to help families find the perfect place to make a home.

Wayne was an outgoing, friendly, and funny guy with a big heart. He will be remembered for his upbeat energy, quick wit, and corny way of showing how much he cared. He lived strong with a weak heart for many years, and the recent passing of Judy seemed to break his heart. The family finds comfort in them being reunited in heaven.

Wayne is survived by his mother, Virginia and her husband Joe Arms of Joelton, TN, adopted father Dale Ross Kaiser of Pana, IL, brother David Burton and his wife Pat of Red Boiling Springs, TN, brother-in-law Andy Roberts and his wife Susan of Sullivan, IL, son Rob Kaiser and his wife, Molly, and their children, Claire and Ben, of Greensboro, NC, and daughter Angie Kaiser and her daughter Maddie of Decatur, IL.

A service to celebrate Wayne's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, in Antioch Christian Church, Long Creek. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. In lieu of flowers the family recommends memorials to the American Heart Association; messages of condolence may be sent to www.dawson-wikoff.com.