Mr. Wayne Barker Siefert

Wayne Barker Siefert – May 22, 1925 – March 20, 2014 Wayne Siefert of Columbus, MI passed away Thursday evening at his home in Columbus Michigan. His family and friends honored his wishes to be at home for his passing, and he was attended by caring, loved ones. Wayne graduated Richmond High School at which time he was drafted into Service with the US Army, and spent the better part of his two years in Japan after WWII. When he came home, he attended Michigan State University earning a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture. He did Graduate Study at Cornell University in New York, where he also met his wife Margaret (Peg). He earned a Master's Degree in Ornamental Horticulture and he and Peg were married in the Cornell Chapel on August 26, 1956. He worked for the MSU Extension Service for several years when he and Peg adopted Charlie (1963), and Tom (1965). In 1965, having gained employment with the University of Illinois Extension Service, Wayne and family moved to Caseyville, Illinois. He also worked for approximately 25 years as a Civil Servant in charge of horticulture at Scott Air Force Base, O'fallon Il. He retired from there in 1992, and he and Peg returned to the family property - since 1853 – in Columbus. He and Peg attended the United Church of Christ in Richmond for many years, and then he attended the Columbus Bible Church in his twilight years. He was a member of the Promise Keepers' in Richmond, and was an active member of the Richmond Lion's Club as long as he was able. He also belonged to the Richmond Garden Club for many years, was an avid blood donor, and was very active until the early 2000's. Wayne loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, nature shows, walks, drives-anything to keep close to Nature. Wayne was born on May 22, 1925, on the family farm in Columbus, to John and Gertrude Siefert and is survived by his two sons Charlie of St Clair Michigan and Tom and Wendy of Caseyville Illinois, grandchildren: Whitney, Wyatt (Charlie) and Josh Mann, Brandon, Mathew (Tom), and dear friends Arnie Dider of Missoula, MT and Jennifer Palmer of Romeo, MI. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 25th at Columbus Bible Church, Columbus, MI. Interment will be in Kittridge Cemetery, Columbus Twp. Visiting hours are Monday 2 – 4 and 6 – 9 p.m. at Young Funeral Home, China Twp and 12-1 p.m. Tuesday at the church prior to services. To leave a message for the family visit http://www.youngfuneralservices.com/

Mr. Wayne Barker Siefert

May 22, 1925 - March 20, 2014