Dayton, R. Wayne 1927-2017

DAYTON, FORCE, SCHMITZ, SEATON, KINSETH, BILLMEYER, SCHMIDT, HOFFMAN, SCOGNAMILLO

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 8/22/2017 at 15:45:50

Smith Funeral Home; Grinnell, Iowa
Online Obituaries

R. WAYNE DAYTON

Raymond Wayne Dayton, 90, passed away on August 12, 2017 at the Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa.

Wayne was born on August 8, 1927 on the family farm near Brooklyn, Iowa to E. Bernice (Force) and Ray K. Dayton. He was raised in the Malcom, Iowa area along with his siblings, where he learned the meaning of hard work. He attended country schools and graduated from Malcom High School in 1946. Wayne joined the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Combat Engineers Battalion and served in the Korean War during 1950-1952.

On May 5, 1951, Wayne married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Schmitz at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell, Iowa. He and Ruth Ann lived on a farm outside of Grinnell, raising 10 children, and instilling the same work ethic he learned as a child to them. He was a farmer and parts man at the Grinnell International Harvester Implement Store; helping out his fellow farmers whenever they needed to repair their farming equipment.

Wayne was proud of his family, Catholic faith and military service and would share stories of all of these to a listening ear. Wayne's special interests were caring for his family, watching his children and grandchildren's sports/school events, singing in the church choir, and watching old western and history war movies.

Wayne is survived by his children, John (Connie) Dayton, Mary Jo (Dave) Seaton, Mark (Sherri) Dayton, Teresa Dayton (daughter-in-law), Tom Dayton, Diane (Scott) Kinseth, Louise (Sam) Billmeyer, Carol (Steve) Schmidt, Ellen (Todd) Hoffman and Teresa (Joe) Scognamillo; 30 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and brothers, Eugene Dayton and Lawrence Dayton along with a sister, Roberta Dayton. Preceding him in death are his wife, Ruth Ann; his son, Jim; parents, Bernice & Ray; brother, Marvin, and sister, Lucille.

Funeral Services will be held on August 17, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Lunch will be served at Michael J. Manatt Community Center in Brooklyn immediately following the funeral service, with the interment at the Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell following lunch.

Rosary and Vigil service will be held on August 16, 2017 starting at 3:30 p.m. at Smith's Funeral Home in Grinnell. Visitation will be held between 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., with family present from 3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made in Wayne's memory to Alzheimers Association or ALS Association Iowa Chapter.

Wayne's family would like to thank the staff at Mercy Hospice and St. Francis Manor for taking care of him.