Obituary of Wayne R. Hodgson

Wayne R. Hodgson, age 91, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Our House Assisted Living in Wisconsin Rapids. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Joshua Fite will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with military rites rendered by VFW Post 2534. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. Wayne was born May 26, 1922 in the Town of Schley, Lincoln County to Richard and Amanda (Bessy) Hodgson. On June 11th, 1943, he married Ada E. Coyer in Merrill, she died November 7, 2012. Wayne served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Juneau, Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, and also stateside in Michigan and California. In 1946 Wayne and Ada settled in Wisconsin Rapids to raise their family. He worked for the Wood County Highway Department for many years, Bob Johnson's Car Care Center, and the Wisconsin Rapids School District, until his retirement in 1987. After retirement, he continued to work part-time at the Rapids Mall until 2001. Both Wayne and Ada loved to travel during their golden years, including many stops at Branson, Missouri, and a memorable trip to Hawaii in 1988. He enjoyed gardening, bowling, and playing horseshoes with his neighbor, Tom. Wayne loved to listen to classic country and polka music, watch classic TV shows, especially M*A*S*H*, The Andy Griffith Show and Gunsmoke, and of course, spending time with his family and friends. Wayne will always be remembered by his warm, friendly nature, his work ethic, his willingness to help others, and his sense of humor. Survivors include three sons, Darwin (Barbara) Hodgson of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Loren of Waupaca, WI, and Jay (Maurine) Hodgson of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; one daughter, Julie Hodgson of Kenosha, WI; two brothers, Glenn (Elaine) Hodgson of Summerset, IL, and Gerald (Audrey) Hodgson of Palmer, AK; sister-in-law, Harriet Hodgson, of Merrill, WI; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ada; daughters Jerelyn Tracy, and Lynette Tracy; daughter in-law Nancy Hodgson; sister and brother-in-law, Clarice (Gilbert) Johnson; brother and sister-in law, Irwin (Mary Jane) Hodgson; and brother Vernon Hodgson. Memorials may be designated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "Wayne's family would like to thank Dr. Okon and staff at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital, Ministry Home Care Hospice, and Our House Assisted Living form their compassionate care and concern."