On behalf of the Wayne Nearn family, we are honored to have been asked to post this obituary on our website for our followers:

Wayne Nearn passed away on October 30, 2022 at the age of 91. He was the son of Elzie Nearn and Opal Curtis. He was born in Choctaw, Oklahoma, February 22,1931.

He grew up moving a lot so he's lived in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and settled in California..

He did ranch work in his youth and farm work as he went to school. He graduated from Alpaugh  High School. After High School he joined the Air Force where he flew in B-29's during the Korean War.

He married his High School sweetheart Jean Sonke, September 1953. They moved to Greenfield, California in 1955 after visiting family who lived there.  He worked a couple of jobs before joining the Monterey County Sheriff Department, where he was one of the top shooters and in 1969 he was awarded the Deputy Sheriff of the Year, he retired in 1973 then went into the pump business.

After working in the Pump business, he went to work for the California Prison System at Soledad as an Electrician before retiring. He enjoyed time with family. He and his wife went on several trips before and after he retired. He was a man of many trades

He was involved in several activities during this time he was on the Greenfield Recreation Board, President of the PTA, a Boy Scout Leader, 4-H instructor, Swimming Instructor, and a member of the Mee Memorial Hospital Board. He was very proud of being a Potawatomi.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Burnard and Bill Nearn , two sisters Barbara Walker and Bonnie Elsey and three nephews.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, his brother Benny Nearn, his son's Neil and Bruce (Cindy)  Nearn, his daughter Lisa Nearn, his five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Veterans Association, Hospice or Alzheimer's Association.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Celebration of Life will be January 7th, 11:30am to 4pm at the DeAnza building San Lorenzo Park. PotLuck style lunch, so please bring some kind of dish.