Lincoln — Wayne E. Sheley, 101, of Lincoln, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026, at St. Clara’s Rehab and Senior Care Center in Lincoln.
Funeral Services for Mr. Sheley will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln with Rev. Mark Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Burial will follow in the Zion Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by Lincoln American Legion Post #263.
Wayne Emerson Sheley was born on June 23,1924, in rural Lincoln, the son of Elmer C. and Georgia Sparks Sheley. He was united in marriage to Myrtle Maaks on June 18, 1950. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2002.
He is survived by his children: Sue Ellen Rehtmeyer, Lynn (Margie) Sheley and Lee (Kathleen) Sheley; five grandchildren: Jake (Lauren) Sheley, Amy (Jason) Kuhlman, Mitchell Sheley, Luke (Jessica) Sheley, and Annie Kowieski; six great-grandchildren: Aiden, Colton, Violet, Ivy, Landry and Grayson; and two brothers: Jim (Joan) Sheley and Bob Sheley.
He was preceded in death by his wife, five sisters: Dorothy Snyder, Virginia Klockenga, Mildred Maaks, Jessie Rankin, and Betty Downs; and four brothers: George Sheley, Richard Sheley, Homer Sheley, Howard Sheley.
Wayne graduated from Lincoln Community High School in 1941. He then served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He later owned and operated the Sheley FS Station in Lincoln for thirty-seven years.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #263 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars #1756 and LinPro Square Dance Club in Lincoln. He went on the Honor Flight to visit Washington D.C. with the Land of Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his honor to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Zion Lutheran School Bleacher Fund or Land of Lincoln Honor Flight 3010 Cameron Drive Springfield, Illinois 62704-6435
Final arrangements are entrusted with Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln.