Wayne Allen Nyhuis, 74, of 3989 Greenwood Court, Sheboygan, departed from this earth for his eternal Home in Heaven on Thursday, August 21, 2008. He was the former owner and operator of Sheboygan Glass Co., a company founded by his father in 1931.
Wayne was born May 31, 1934 in Sheboygan to Martin and Ann Nyhuis. Wayne attended Sheboygan Christian School and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1952. He graduated from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN in 1956 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. With his wife, Lois, he lived in North Hollywood, CA for a short time while working as an engineer at Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, CA. He returned to Sheboygan in 1958 to work with his father, where he had lived the remainder of his life.
At age 16, Wayne went forward at a Jack Wyrtzen Rally, at North High School, to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. His desire to see others enjoy that personal relationship has been a driving force in his life, leading him to serve as Chairman of Billy Graham Evangelistic films in local theaters, Chairman of the Stonecroft Couples Club, and as a church elder and adult Sunday School teacher for many years. Wayne’s compassionate heart for underprivileged people led him to serve as a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, serving as Board Chairman for a number of years, and helping with the Campus Life Food Pantry. He was a member of Southside Alliance Church.
Wayne enjoyed music, entertaining friends with his baritone, and, marching in several marching bands with his tuba. He was also a member of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra for a few years. It was in North High School’s orchestra where Wayne met his wife, the former Lois Longwell. Wayne and Lois were married on June 23, 1956 at Hope Reformed Church in Sheboygan, and they were privileged to celebrate 50 years of marriage two years ago.
Wayne loved the out-of-doors, taking his family on camping trips around the country and enjoying Wisconsin’s bicycle trails. One of his favorite pastimes in recent years was bicycling in Kohler Andre State Park. He also loved to travel, and with his wife, Lois, enjoyed seeing every one of our country’s fifty states as well as many other countries and other parts of the world. His favorite trip was to Israel with an organization called "Friends of Israel.”
Wayne is survived by his wife, Lois; and his four children and their spouses; Allen and Kathy Nyhuis of Indianapolis, IN, Matthew and Julie Nyhuis of Sheboygan, Amy Anderson of Sheboygan, and David and Jennifer Nyhuis of Eatonville, WA. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Heidi Anderson of Sheboygan, and Douglas (Angie) Anderson of Howards Grove, Martin (Julia) Nyhuis of W. Virginia, Raquel (Chris) Haen of Ill., Jeremy, Mandy, Becky, and Millie Nyhuis of Indianapolis, and Jonathan, Natalie, Lydia, Malachi and Sarina Nyhuis of Eatonville, WA. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Frankie and Charlie Anderson, and Logan Nyhuis. In addition, he is survived by two brothers and their wives; Jay and Laura Nyhuis, San Juan Capistrano, CA, and Paul and Gayle Nyhuis, Cottage Grove, MN, four sisters-in-law; Esther Muir, Colorado, Eva (Bob) Wagner and Judy Longwell, California, and Mardell Longwell, North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Doug Anderson.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at Southside Alliance Church located at 4321 County Road A East in Sheboygan with Mr. Allen Nyhuis and Mr. Paul Nyhuis, officiating. Burial will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg on Monday, August 25, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. until the time of services.
A special thank you to Wayne’s good friends—Dick, Bill, Vern, and Ralph—who spent much time with him during his illness; to Lisa and the other staff of the Aurora VNA Hospice; and to his compassionate friend and Care Giver, Christine. You have blessed our lives during this difficult time.
A memorial to Wayne has been set up for Campus Life of Sheboygan and The Sheboygan Salvation Army.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wenigfuneralhome.com.
The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the Nyhuis family.