Wayne Allen Hornberger

Wayne Allen Hornberger, 81 of North Prairie, WI passed away on January 12, 2024, in Hernando, Florida. Born in Clayton, MO, he was the oldest of 6 boys to Harry and Irma Hornberger. He was raised in St Louis, MO and married his high school sweetheart, Susan Merkle, on Nov 9, 1963.

Working his way from mailroom clerk to Marketing Representative, Wayne enjoyed a successful career at Phillips Petroleum Company for 40 consecutive years. As a young father, the company transferred the family to the Kettle Moraine area of southern Wisconsin, where they raised four children. After an early retirement at 57, Wayne and Sue enjoyed the snowbird life by splitting time between Florida and Wisconsin, always headed to enjoy wherever it was warm and sunny to enjoy relaxed late afternoon conversations on the deck or lanai.

Everyone touched by Wayne on his life journey found someone with a quick wit, charm, and always sharing a good joke or story. A prolific writer, he’d pen and share his daily thoughts and commentaries on life, world events, shared wisdom, and collective memories to his immediate family. Above all, his time, energy, and dedication were spent on enjoying his 60-year marriage to Susan, telling each other daily that they were the love of each other’s lives.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Sue, daughter Beth (Bob) Dummer, Tim (Jamie) Hornberger, Jeff (Paulina) Hornberger and Rebecca Spencer, grandchildren Katie (Joe Ruggiero) Hornberger, Karlie (John Loman) Hornberger, Rachel (Niko) Medina, Bekah (Benny) Block, Ryan Hornberger, Julia Hornberger, Elijah Spencer, Sophia Hornberger, Megan Hornberger, Phineas Spencer, Norah Spencer and his highly anticipated first great grandchild, Jesse Wayne Medina.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Irma Hornberger, brother Keith Hornberger, his in-laws George and Audrey Merkle, a grandson, and son-in-law Mark Riester.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the American Heart Association in Wayne Hornberger's name.

A celebration of life event for family and friends is planned later in the Spring in Wisconsin, and will be announced at a later date.