Wayne B. McMichael, Sr.

Wayne Bruce McMichael, Sr., of Benton and formerly of Stillwater, went to be with the Lord, early Thursday morning, August 27th, 2020 at the Berwick Retirement Village II where he had been a resident since January.  He had been in declining health the past two years.

Born July 20, 1933 in Stillwater, he was a son of the late Jay Alva McMichael and Edith Rebecca (Fritz) McMichael, who both died in 1988.   He and his beloved wife, Lois E. (Morgan) McMichael, would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on September 24th.

Wayne attended the former Stillwater School and then graduated from Benton High School in 1951.  He faithfully served his country during the Korean War in the U. S. Army attaining the rank of Sergeant.  He was stationed in Germany and received the Occupation Medal/Germany; the Good Conduct  Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. 

Following his discharge from the Military he was employed by Magee Carpet Company in Bloomsburg for 21 years and later for the former Thompson Wood Products/Charles D. Roberts Company in Stillwater until his retirement in 1995.  Following his retirement he worked part-time for the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc. in Benton for 23 years.

In his younger years he also was the assistant mail carrier for Stillwater.  For more than 50 years he was the caretaker of the Stillwater Cemetery.

He was a lifelong and very active member of Stillwater Christian Church where he had served as a deacon, elder, trustee, chairman of the board, Church treasurer, Sunday School Teacher and had been the chairman of the Benevolence committee for nearly 40 years.

An avid outdoorsman and sportsman, he was a founding member of the Bee Cellar Hunting Club and played baseball in High School and for the former North Branch League for the Stillwater Cardinals. 

He served on the Board of Directors for the former Eastern Christian College in Bel Air, Maryland for two terms.  He also served multiple terms on the Stillwater Borough Council and was on the board of the Stillwater Cemetery Association for decades.  He was also a member of the American Legion and the NRA.

Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing trips to Canada, cutting firewood and  mowing lawn.  He especially cherished spending time with his family and attending family events, picnics and holiday get-togethers.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Lois, are his three children:  Wayne Bruce McMichael, Jr. and his wife, Darla; Mary J. Schmeck and her husband, Eric; Joy A. Zeitler and her husband, David, Sr.; eight grandchildren:  David Zeitler, Jr. and his wife, Gena; Nichole Tucker and her husband, Adam; Kellie Miller; Jacqueline S. Trombly and her husband, Brian; Wayne Bruce McMichael, III and his wife, Anna; Emily M. Trombly and her husband, Michael; Logan Zeitler and Olivia Lyons and her husband, Grant; seven great grandchildren:  Anthony, Brody, Colby, Zachary, Irelyn, Halee, and Oliver; a sister, Esther K. Franklin; a niece and a nephew and a sister-in-law, Carol Dildine and her husband, James.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, David A. Miller; brother-in-laws:  A. Dale  Franklin and Russell Morgan, Jr. and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Henry.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 11 A. M. at the Stillwater Christian Church with Pastors Jason Simpkins, Scott Lyons and Jeff Farley, officiating.  Burial will be in the Stillwater Cemetery with full military honors accorded by a group of local veterans.  Viewing will be held Monday from 4 to 7 PM at the Stillwater Christian Church and Tuesday morning from 10 AM until the time of the service at the Church.  (Please follow CDC guidelines by wearing masks and practice social distancing).  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Building Fund of the Stillwater Christian Church, 39 McMichael Street, Stillwater, PA 17878. 

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