C. Wayne Paxton, 89, of Wells, passed away Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at The Laurelwood Assisted Living Center in Dayton, Ohio.

According to his wishes, his body has been bequeathed to the Mayo Medical School in Rochester. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells at a later date.

Wayne was born on Feb. 24, 1916, in North East Township, Adams County, Ill. to Clara and Charles Paxton. He graduated from Carthage College, Ill. and then married Marion M. Hamlin on Feb. 7, 1941, in Washington, DC. He retired from Del Monte Corp in 1981 after corporate moves from Illinois to Wisconsin to Ontario, Canada to Utah and then their final move in 1971 to Wells. Wayne came to The Laurelwood Center in Dayton, Ohio, in October 2005, to be closer to family.

Wayne’s passions were genealogy, letter-writing, agriculture, curling, and playing bridge. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Marion on June 12, 2005; brother Forrest; sister Jean; and grandson Timothy Patrick O’Grady. He is survived by his sister Virginia Gustafson of Cambridge, Ill.

Surviving are his children: Pamela (Larry) O’Grady, of Fairfax Station, Va., Larry (Gloria) Paxton, of Anaheim, Calif., Penni Tracy, of Dayton, Ohio, and Bob (Denise) Paxton, of Murietta, Calif.;

grandchildren: Scott Paxton, Tracy (John) O’Grady-Walsh, Michael (Shanna) O’Grady, Jennifer Paxton, Brett Tracy, Shayla Paxton, Jacque Tracy, and Kyle Paxton;

great-grandchildren: Megan, Michelle, Katelin, Connor, and Liam.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of your choice or to your favorite charity.