Obituary – Wayne S. Callender –

Wayne S. Callender, 87, succumbed to his battle with cancer on the morning of December 11, 2014, at Del Mar Gardens Nursing Home in O’Fallon, MO.

He was born on October 20, 1927, in Independence, IL.  He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVera Parkinson Callender, his parents, Arthur Olan Callender and Erma Crystal Conkright Callender, one brother, Victor Harold Callender, one sister, Bernadine Bradshaw Gerdes, and a niece, Shirley Glover Middleton.

As a young man he was drafted into the U.S. Army, doing his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and sent to Japan for his service.  At the end of WW II he returned to Chicago, IL and was wed to Vera on March 22, 1952.  His chosen profession was an accomplished carpenter with the Chicago Regional 80 Carpenter’s Union. He was a member in good standing from September 1, 1952 through September 30, 1982. On his own he built five beautiful homes in the Chicago suburbs while his wife of 50 years decorated them and then resold them.  He and his wife were well traveled – taking trips throughout the United States to Europe, Asia, and the Orient.

Wayne was always interested in sports, hunting game from pheasant to deer and took many trips to Canada with his father, mother, family, and friends.  He also loved playing cards, coffee and conversation, gambling, and was an avid golf enthusiast, achieving a hole-in-one.  He belonged to the American Legion Post No 0528 in Christopher, IL.  In their retirement years, Wayne and Vera returned to her hometown to live and weathered the winters in Benita Springs, Texas, with friends and family.

His final resting place will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Valier, IL.  Services will be at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL, on Monday, December 15 at 11 a.m., with interment following the funeral. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  For more information visit our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.