BLYTHE, Wayne L. 1948-2014

BLYTHE, RUTER, AKKERMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/11/2014 at 20:07:14

Wayne Lee Blythe, 66, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at his home in Wellsburg while under Care Initiatives Hospice after a brave battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 AM at the AGWSR Middle School, 609 S. Monroe St., Wellsburg, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12th from 4 to 8 PM at the middle school and one hour prior to the service at the school. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Faith Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Ackley. Donations may be made in Wayne's name to Project 52, P.O. Box 3681, Urbandale, Iowa 50323.

Wayne was born in Grundy Center on May 20, 1948, the son of George & Grace (Ruter) Blythe. He attended Timothy Christian School through the 8th grade and graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1967. On August 31, 1968, Wayne was united in marriage to Joyce Akkerman at the East Friesland Presbyterian Church in rural Ackley.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in January of 1968. Wayne received his training at Rantoul Air Force Base in Illinois and was sent to the island of Guam on TDY duty. While on active duty, his first son Dustin was born in Iowa. He was able to meet his son four months later. Three months after returning home from Guam, Wayne and his family were stationed at Hahn Air Force Base in Germany. He was honorably discharged in January of 1972.

After his discharge from the military, Wayne and the family moved to South Daytona, Florida, where his second son, Vaughn, was born. He was employed by Corbett Cranes. They returned home to Iowa and Wayne began work at PCI and the City of Wellsburg. He and his nephew Dan started Mid-Iowa Concrete together in 1978. He was also employed by his father and many others over the years. In 1988, he began a successful career with Farm Bureau Insurance as an agent. His success allowed them to travel the world with the Farm Bureau Family making "Special Memories" with "Special Friends". He took great pleasure in helping other agents learn the trade and took great pride in their accomplishments and success.

In 1990, Wayne & Joyce hosted a foreign exchange student from South Africa, Carmen Garzuozie. She won over the hearts of the family and is the daughter they never had.

In 2010, Wayne went on his first mission trip to the Dominican Republic. He admitted his life was changed forever. He became a fundraiser for Project 52-a foundation in memory of his grandson Treye. His passion became missions and leading people of all ages to Christ.

Wayne took great pride in his community, work, church and served on many boards and organizations. A project dear to his heart, with the help of a great committee, was seeing the completion of the Wellsburg Veterans Memorial.

He loved his friends, his morning coffee buddies and enjoyed socializing with the members of the Fat Hog Club and the Jolly boys. He enjoyed entertaining and boating at the lake house. Wayne was an avid reader and enjoyed watching college football and NASCAR. He helped create lasting memories by organizing many of the semi-annual Blythe Family Fishing Trips.

Wayne loved children and was known as the "Candyman" or the "Tootsie Roll Man". He loved to dress up as Santa until the children recognized his distinct voice.

Wayne's day began at 5:00 AM when he made his daily trek to Casey's for the first cup of coffee of the day. He then drove around town and waited for the sun to rise, while spending time talking with God.

This past year was a gift as he was told he would probably only have one year to live following his diagnosis of pleomorphic sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer affecting only 600 or so people a year. This past year allowed Wayne the opportunity to speak to football teams, church groups and Farm Bureau organizations throughout the country about his journey and all the events that helped shape his life and made him the man he was.

Wayne was a member of the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church and served on the church mission board.

His family, especially his grandchildren meant the world to him. His family and friends will miss him beyond words and as a gift to Wayne, they will keep his memory forever close to their hearts. A friend to Wayne was the stranger he had yet to meet.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joyce of Wellsburg; sons Dustin (Cheryl) Blythe of Urbandale, IA and Vaughn (Amy) Blythe of Oskaloosa, IA; 4 grandchildren, Bailey, Jackson, Grace & Addison Blythe; sisters Mary Ann (Dale) Vry of Parkersburg & Ila Mae Vennenga of Ackley; sisters-in-law Esther Blythe, Ann Blythe, Donna Blythe & Berniece Blythe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Treye Blythe; 4 brothers, Leroy "Gene", Kenneth, Alvin & Ernest Blythe; 3 nephews and 1 great-niece.

--Abels Funeral Home (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)