Wayne Blue  |1946-2022| 

Wayne Blue, 75, of Hesston, passed away at 2:51 PM, Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 while in the company of family, at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wichita.

Wayne was born in Wichita, on September 27, 1946, a son of Lucille May (Baldridge) and Richard Morris Blue, Sr.

Wayne attended the Arlington grade schools and High School, Arlington, Texas. Wayne enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and honorably served as a Sgt in the Vietnam War. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w2*. Following his honorable discharge he attended and graduated from Santa Ana Junior College, Santa Ana, California. After moving to McPherson he then attended and graduated from McPherson College, McPherson.

Wayne Blue was united in marriage to Lauren Susan Ewertz on August 12, 1966 at Fullerton, California. The young couple established their first home together in El Toro Marine Corps Base, El Toro, California. This union was blessed with the birth of three daughters, Nona, Michelle, and Heather. The family moved to Yorba Linda, California in 1972 until 1981 when the family moved to McPherson.

Wayne was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Canton, Grace Lutheran Church, McPherson, and Zion Lutheran Church Newton, where he served in many capacities. He was Baptized into Christ and Confirmed on December 20, 1970.

Wayne was a jack of all trades and a master of none. He worked as a screw inspector for a company in Santa Anna, California, a supervisor for the Alpha Beta Creamery in California, was an independent roofer, worked for Alcor as a supervisor, Swick Guth in customer service, and became an independent Insurance Agent all of McPherson.

Wayne was a member of the American Legion Post 24; McPherson, Kansas and served as Commander as well as serving in many other capacities.

Wayne enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in their sports and activities, gardening, fishing, woodworking and making stain glass windows, working on his home and others with many projects until his health would not permit him to do so, and spending time with his family especially his grandkids. The Grandkids loved teasing grandpa by calling him Howie or Moses.

Wayne is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 55 years, Lauren Blue, of Hesston; his children and grandchildren, Nona (Probert) Dubus and her husband Chief Petty Officer Denis Dubus, USN Retired of Summit, Mississippi, their children: Army Specialist Jonathon Probert, Brittany Dubus, David Dubus, and Sarah Torres; Michelle Miller and her husband Bruce of Brookville, and their children: Anthony Kleinschmidt (Channing Myer), Loren Kleinschmidt (Donna), Christopher Kleinschmidt (Makayla Gerstner) and Chance Miller (Kinley Hodgson); Heather Martin and her husband Ryan of Hesston and their children: Blake, Alex, and Brody; four great-grandchildren, Lalya Dubus, Eli Kleinschmidt, Emmitt Kleinschmidt and Magnolia Kleinschmidt; his siblings, Richard (Barbara) Blue Jr. of Rainier, Washington, Cindy Blue of Medford, Oregon, and sister Becky (Dale) Tinklepaugh of Christianburg, Virginia; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his in-law's, Bud and Bernice Ewertz; his brothers, Donald, Nathan, and Stephen Blue; and a granddaughter, Rylee Miller.

Visitation will be held 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, June 22nd 2022 at Glidden - Ediger Chapel in McPherson.

Funeral service 10:00 am on Thursday, June 23rd 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Canton, with Pastor Kurt Lecher officiating.

Interment will follow the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Canton. Members of the American Legion Post 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 both of McPherson will give military honors with Mark Casebeer providing Taps.