Wayne W. Wiedefeld

“Fatty” Wayne William Wiedefeld passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was 76 years young. Born February 23, 1950 to John Jacob and Marie Anna (Nee Landewee) Wiedefeld who preceded him in death. He was the fourth of five siblings in a close-knit family.
He attended Notre Dame High School in Cape and proudly enlisted in the Army in April of 1969. He was honorably discharged in April of 1971 and always said it was the only organization he knew of that would make you proud of how you made your bed. He first married Jeanne McGregor and they had 2 beautiful daughters, Melissa and Danielle. When he married “Duzy” Donna Gregory-Hargraves on New Year’s Day 1994, he was given a third beautiful daughter, Danah, who completed their family.
He wore many hats throughout his life, beginning at a young age by delivering newspapers and working as a curb hop at the old Blue Hole Barbeque. After a period at Patrick’s Furniture, he left for the Army and returned to that same job when his service ended. His entrepreneurial spirit showed early—he partnered in a landscaping business, sold horse tack under the name “The Swinging Hog Ranch,” and even worked on a cattle farm where he lived in a horse trailer and bathed in the horse troughs.
He later joined FruCon as an electrician before launching his own company, “J.W. Electric.” He hired many of his former FruCon coworkers, building a strong team that specialized in industrial installations. Though two major contracts ended without payment—ultimately costing him the business—he never lost his determination or his work ethic.
He then joined the team at Stockade Buildings, Inc., owned by Vince and Julie Draper, as the electrician and job supervisor. Working alongside Duzy, they soon became part of the Draper’s family. He earned his Master Electrician’s license in July 2000, and though he had to retire due to health reasons in 2006, he remained part of the Draper Family and a trusted consultant.
Mr. Wiedefeld and Duzy reside at Hidden Valley Fishing Club, near Burfordville. He loved the Valley and everyone in it. And enjoyed spending his retirement making it beautiful. He was very proud when voted in as president of the Board earlier this year. Lots of family and friends have also lived or owned properties in the Valley and I am sure they have lots of stories to tell, especially about some heated Board Meetings. He loved spending time with family and friends there – hosting BBQs, adventures with the grandsons to the Ompum-Wampum tree, dying 144 dozen easter eggs for the “Easter Bunny Bandits” to hide and don’t forget the many Kid’s Fishing Days, which wore everyone but him to a frazil. His legacy continues in the Valley as the reconstruction of the Young- Eakins 1860 Log Cabin continues. Originally owned by Duzy’s fourth great-grandparents, it was his obsession to see it completed. He will now watch from heaven as we complete it.
Through all his health challenges over the years, he continued to smile, to joke, and to make everyone he met feel like a best friend. He never met a stranger and had a special love for people, especially his grandchildren. He was the one who called to check on you after surgery or reached out if he hadn’t seen you in a while. Caring for others came naturally to him, and if you’re reading this, you already know he cared for you too.
Wayne’s Christian walk started with his parents’ Catholic upbringing. They taught him well and he talked to God through the prayers learned as a child on a twice daily basis. He started attending Connection Point Church after being invited to a service by Pastor Chris Vaught who, with his wife and family, became a part of Hidden Valley. Wayne wasn’t always able to attend service but watched online religiously. First thing every morning and before bed each evening you would find him saying his prayers while he walked from room to room inside the house. Then he would go to his prayer books, making sure he had prayed for every family member and friend, along with the sick and elderly. Time spent with God was an important part of his life.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 32 years of adventures and shenanigans, Duzy Wiedefeld, three daughters and their husbands whom he loved with all his heart, Chad and Missy Craft, Darrell and Danielle Faire, Rob and Danah Brandel. The grandkids he adored and taught to live life to the fullest, Seth and Madalyn Brandel, Austin Seabaugh, Caleb and Ashlyn Craft, Kiara Faire, and Cohen Faire. They will never forget his hugs and kisses. He was filled with joy at the thought of becoming a great grandpa in September, already dreaming about welcoming Caleb and Ashlyn’s sweet baby.
Wayne is also survived by his younger sister and her husband, Gary and Mary Underwood, and in-laws Phyllis Wiedefeld, Bev Wiedefeld, John and Dianna Stapleton, Rohan and Tammy Francis, and Ron and Karen Oberman who will miss him deeply.
Wayne was preceded in death by his brothers; John, Herman and Raymond Wiedefeld, sister-in-law Virginia “Nina” Wiedefeld and his father and mother-in-law Donald and Shirley Gregory. And we know they welcomed him home with one heck of a party!
Visitation is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 1, 2026, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The Rev. Chris Vaught will conduct the funeral service at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 1, at the funeral home. Military honors are at 2 p.m., Friday, May 1, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Time will be limited due to restraints in traveling to the burial service in Bloomfield on Friday, thus no meal will be served on Friday. However, Family and friends may gather for a potluck at the Valley Community Center on Saturday from 10 am till 2 pm. Wayne would love to show off his Valley and his cabin.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by scrolling to the guestbook beneath Wayne’s obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.
If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Lift Ministry at Connection Point Church in Jackson (Checks can be written to CPC-Lift) or Missouri Disabled Sportsman Grou