Wayne L. Reed
Wayne L. Reed, 86, of Kimmell, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. He was born on Oct. 22, 1928 in Noble County, the son of the late Clarence Oliver and Ruby Irene Reed. Wayne married the love of his life, Shirley Virginia Kalb June 2, 1947. Together they shared 68 years of wedded bliss.
He is survived by his wife: Shirley V. Reed of Kimmell; a daughter: Connie Lee (Carl) Lortie of Cromwell; two grandchildren: Julia Ann (Michael) Crossley of Ligonier, and Michael Wayne (Jennifer) Lortie of Kimmell; three great-grandchildren: Courtney Nicole Crossley, Andrew Michael Crossley, and Addison Mae Lortie; and two siblings: Lois Rosenogle of Ligonier, and Ross Eugene Reed of Hodgenville, Ky.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald Robert Reed.
Wayne possessed a very strong work ethic, even as a young boy with his first job setting pins at the bowling alley. He went to work at Penn Controls in Goshen in the ’40s and then for Essex Wire in Ligonier. Wayne had great love for automobiles from an early age and in 1952 he began his career in auto sales at Max Sperry Ford in Ligonier. In 1960 he founded Wayne Reed Motors in Kimmell. In 1972 he expanded to include the Ford Mercury dealership which continued in Kimmell until he sold the dealership to Rick Zollars who expanded the business in Ligonier. Wayne continued Wayne Reed Auto Brokers in Kimmell until his retirement in the late ’90s.
He was a dedicated family man and most importantly a devoted Christian. He was a member of The Ligonier Church of Christ, the Cromwell Masonic Lodge and was the first president of the Noble County Genealogical Society. Wayne was a motorcycle enthusiast and always rode a Harley Davidson. He enjoyed bowling, boating, traveling the United States and summers at Lake Wawasee. He enjoyed attending antique car auctions and kept his love for cars until the end.
A funeral service will be held in Wayne’s honor on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier. Pastors Randy Penwell and John Lutton will officiate. Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell, IN.
Family and friends will be received from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 20, at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be held at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ligonier Church of Christ. Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.