Wayne Arnold Weckwerth

Wayne was born at St Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton Wisconsin in 1951, to Gustave “Gust” and Dorthy Weckwerth nee Van Boxtel. Wayne’s father was a WWII army veteran Sergeant and fought in Okinawa. Wayne recalled his father telling him years later how he and the other soldiers made crosses cut from the glass windshield of a downed Japanese aircraft. Wayne’s father, Gust, was a self-employed brick and stone mason and built new homes in the city of Appleton. He also worked for Raymond Ulman Construction. Wayne’s mother, Dorothy, worked at Zwicker’s Knitting Mill and then in the cosmetic department at Prange’s department store in downtown Appleton. Wayne said his parents made great sacrifices for him and his brother, Ken, and gave them both a Christian education. He said, “We weren’t rich, but we were blessed, and our parents always made sure we had what we needed.” Gust took Wayne to his first stock car race at the Apple Creek Raceway in Outagamie County when he was ten years old. Wayne said he was “hooked”, and he knew he was going to race cars when he was old enough.

Wayne said, “As kids growing up, my brother, Ken, and I were always in one another’s hair.”  Ken enlisted in the United States Marines Corp and served three years in Vietnam. Wayne said when Ken came home, they were the best of friends and Ken was the biggest supporter of his racing career.

Wayne attended grade school through second grade at St. Therese then third through eighth grades at St. Pius in Appleton. He attended Xavier High School in Appleton graduating in 1969.

Wayne attended Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton for two years and received his certification in auto mechanics. He worked as a stern drive and outboard boat motor mechanic for Sport-O-Motive in Appleton from 1971 to 1981. In 1981 Wayne worked for Automotive Supply Company in Appleton. He worked in the machine shop, the hydraulic shop, and had a sales route for five years.

Wayne returned to Fox Valley Technical College and earned his Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver’s License. Wayne drove semi-trucks for Dorn’s Delivery from 1995 to1997. In 1997 Wayne was hired at USF Holland and drove for them until his retirement in 2013.

Wayne was an avid automobile enthusiast and stock car racing was Wayne’s favorite activity. He had a very successful stock car racing career from 1972 through 1980 driving car number 66.

Following his racing career, Wayne restored numerous classic cars to their original glory. Because of his hard work and attention to detail, Wayne won dozens of 1st place trophies and plaques.

Wayne loved animals and enjoyed the company of his cats, “Max” and “Melvin.”  Wayne was a charismatic individual and had developed many lasting friendships over the years.     

Wayne will be remembered most for his positive attitude, his faith in the Lord, and always knowing what he wanted out of life.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister-in-law Dee Weckwerth nee Dekoch, his nephew David DeKoch, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral Mass for Wayne will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (N2385 Municipal Dr., Greenville) with Father Michael Warden officiating.  Friends and family will gather at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Burial will be in the Parish cemetery.

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