Wayne graduated from Wiley High School in 1944, and joined the United States Navy three weeks later. He studied at Ohio Wesleyan University while in the Navy. Wayne completed a Bachelor's degree at Asbury College, Masters Degrees from both Butler University and Indiana Wesleyan University, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Houghton College.
His first ministry commitment was as a teacher at Frankfort Pilgrim College under the leadership of the Reverend R. K. Storey. There he met Virginia who became his loving wife and ministry partner for almost sixty-six years. They married on September 1, 1949. Wayne and Virginia left Frankfort in 1951 for their first term of missionary service in the Philippines. They served there together in various ministries, the major part being in Bible School teaching and field administration. Three children were born during those years: Mary Beth, David, and Daniel.
After returning to the United States in 1970, Wayne served for the next 22 years with the Wesleyan Church's denominational office of Wesleyan World Missions, the last eight as General Secretary. Wayne traveled extensively in those years, often accompanied by Virginia, with the goal of supporting and building the national leadership of the Wesleyan Church throughout the world. A major achievement of those years was the "2000 By 2000" program which aimed to grow global Wesleyan churches to 2000 by the year 2000.
After retirement in 1992, Wayne and Virginia served as co-coordinators of the ministry of The Wesleyan Church in Russia. After returning from Russia they pastored the Mt. Etna Wesleyan Church before retiring to Brooksville, Florida, where they were active members of Brooksville Wesleyan Church.
The Wrights returned to Marion in 2014. Wayne passed away at Marion General Hospital on August 29, 2015. He was preceded in death by Virginia on July 21, 2015. He is survived by his sister, Faith Linton, three children, Mary Beth (Jeffery) Fussner, David (Helen) Wright, and Daniel (Karen) Wright, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services for Wayne will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2015 at College Wesleyan Church, 200 E. 38th St., Marion, IN. Officiants will be Dr. H.C. Wilson, Dr. Judy Crossman, and Dr. Jeff Fussner. Burial will follow in Grant Memorial Park.The family will receive visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at College Wesleyan Church, and one hour prior to the service on Friday
Wayne graduated from Wiley High School in 1944, and joined the United States Navy three weeks later. He studied at Ohio Wesleyan University while in the Navy. Wayne completed a Bachelor's degree at Asbury College, Masters Degrees from both Butler University and Indiana Wesleyan University, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Houghton College.
His first ministry commitment was as a teacher at Frankfort Pilgrim College under the leadership of the Reverend R. K. Storey. There he met Virginia who became his loving wife and ministry partner for almost sixty-six years. They married on September 1, 1949. Wayne and Virginia left Frankfort in 1951 for their first term of missionary service in the Philippines. They served there together in various ministries, the major part being in Bible School teaching and field administration. Three children were born during those years: Mary Beth, David, and Daniel.
After returning to the United States in 1970, Wayne served for the next 22 years with the Wesleyan Church's denominational office of Wesleyan World Missions, the last eight as General Secretary. Wayne traveled extensively in those years, often accompanied by Virginia, with the goal of supporting and building the national leadership of the Wesleyan Church throughout the world. A major achievement of those years was the "2000 By 2000" program which aimed to grow global Wesleyan churches to 2000 by the year 2000.
After retirement in 1992, Wayne and Virginia served as co-coordinators of the ministry of The Wesleyan Church in Russia. After returning from Russia they pastored the Mt. Etna Wesleyan Church before retiring to Brooksville, Florida, where they were active members of Brooksville Wesleyan Church.
The Wrights returned to Marion in 2014. Wayne passed away at Marion General Hospital on August 29, 2015. He was preceded in death by Virginia on July 21, 2015. He is survived by his sister, Faith Linton, three children, Mary Beth (Jeffery) Fussner, David (Helen) Wright, and Daniel (Karen) Wright, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services for Wayne will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2015 at College Wesleyan Church, 200 E. 38th St., Marion, IN. Officiants will be Dr. H.C. Wilson, Dr. Judy Crossman, and Dr. Jeff Fussner. Burial will follow in Grant Memorial Park.The family will receive visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at College Wesleyan Church, and one hour prior to the service on Friday
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement