Obituary of Wayne Eldon Townsend

Savannah: Age 75, surrounded by his family, went home to be with the Lord following a valiant 12 year battle with cancer on October 1st. He was a beloved husband and devoted father to 4 children. Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joan; daughters LouAnn (David) Rowley of Wellsville, Kim (Kenneth) Wescott of Savannah, Gina (Andrew) Snook of Spencerport; son Daniel Wayne (Shari) Townsend of Auburn; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; brother Arnold (Barbara) Townsend of Savannah. Wayne was born in Savannah, son of Floyd and Gertrude Townsend. He was a Marine Corps veteran, and had worked for many years in quality control at Parker-Hannifin in Lyons. An avid stamp and coin collector, Wayne loved woodworking and craftsmanship. He loved people and was loved by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting and talking with him. Wayne spent many hours walking in the rain, snow or sunshine. He was known as the “Walking Miracle” in Savannah while pushing or carrying his oxygen on his daily walks, until his health declined preventing him from continuing. Wayne was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and attended in Lyons. Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the COLVIN-NORTON FUNERAL HOME, 13081 West Church Street, Savannah. Wayne’s funeral will be held on Monday (10-5), from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 954 Sohn-Alloway Road in Lyons beginning at 11 a.m. Private interment will follow at the Butler-Savannah Cemetery in South Butler. In lieu of floral offerings, Wayne’s family requests that you consider a donation in his memory to either Lifetime Care of Newark, the American Cancer Society, Wayne County Nursing Home Activity Fund, or to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.