Edward Wayne Esserman passed away peacefully at his home in New Palestine, on Friday, October 20, 2017, after losing a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
He was born on February 4, 1941, and was the son of the late Edward and Dorothy Dabbert Esserman. On February 19, 1966, he married Sandra Sommers, and she survives along with daughters, Erika (Dean) Chapin and Erin (Eric) Meek; grandsons, Will (8) and Henry (4); sisters, Barbara Michael, of Flora, and Carole Thurston, of California; and several nieces and nephews.
Wayne was a 1959 graduate of Flora High School and was where his love of basketball began. He not only loved watching and playing the sports but helped with coaching girls basketball at Carroll High School for many years.
He owned several businesses throughout his life but settled on a career in comomodities. Wayne traded on the Chicago MidAmerica Exchange, having a commodity office in West Lafayette and Delphi. He also published two books and several articles along with television and radio appearances.
His love of people, community, and family was apparent by his service on many boards while living on Washington Island, WI, and being an active member of the Crossroads Community Christian Church in Bringhurst. His passion for running was contagious as well, as many of his friends would agree, and ran in several marathons and minis over the years. He will be missed by many.
Visitation for Wayne will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at Crossroads Community Christian Church at 3570 E 200 S, Bringhurst, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral services in Wayne’s honor will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at the Crossroads Community Christian Church with Pastor Dan Butcher officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Lawn Cemetery in Flora. Memorials in Wayne’s honor may be made to Rock Steady Boxing at 6847 Hillsdale Ct, Indianapolis, IN, 46250. Arrangements are entrusted to Genda Funeral Home Reinke Chapel in Flora, with online condolences being directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.