Wayne E. Estes

Wayne E. Estes, 81, of Jackson, entered in eternal rest with Jesus on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at the Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.  For their kind gestures and professional care, Wayne’s family extends their gratitude to the staff at Ratliff Care Center, Crown Hospice, and in-home caregivers.

He was born October 17, 1941, in Whitewater, Missouri, to Claude and Arvella Rhodes Estes.  He was a graduate of Delta High School. 

On December 12, 1959, Wayne and Mary Lou Stroder were married at New Hope Church near Advance, Missouri.  Their union was blessed with three children, Alan, Kim, and Darren.  They had been married 61 years when Mary Lou passed away August 14, 2021.

Wayne never met a stranger, was a natural conversationalist, and remembered life details of everyone he met.  He was humorous, often assigning nicknames to many.  He was empathetic, kind, and sweet even in his final days. 

Wayne worked in route sales and was a tour bus driver.  He raised gentle cattle at the family home north of Jackson.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  Wayne and his brother, Ronnie, and friends would often gather to play cards and “talk cattle business”.  

Wayne was a member of the Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge and Whitewater Masonic Lodge #417.

Loving survivors include two children, Kim (Chuck) Crowden and Darren (Gail) Estes of Jackson; five grandchildren, Dustin (Kyla) Estes of Marquand, Missouri, Ashley (Justin) Riegal of Cuba, Missouri, Courtney (Stuart) Knowlan of Burfordville, Anna Estes of St. Louis, and Gabe Estes, of Jackson; 11 great-grandchildren, Amya, Allie, Christian, Ava, Jax, Charlotte, Jase, Ella Mae, Gunnar, Emmett, and Ruby Rae; and three siblings, Carol (the late James) Craft, Ronnie (Susan) Estes, and Wanda (Ron) Devenport.  Mary Lou’s surviving family includes her siblings, Kenny (Connie) Stroder, Kathy (Larry) Bast; sisters-in-law, Kathie (the late Wayne) Stroder, Donna (the late Kelly) Stroder and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; a son, Alan Estes; his parents, Claude and Arvella Estes; Mary Lou’s parents, Hilbert and Frances B. “Beryl” Huffman Stroder and her siblings, Wayne Stroder, Jackie (Sonny) Johnson, and Kelly Stroder.

Visitation is from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Chapel A, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Members of Whitewater Masonic Lodge #417 will conduct a Masonic service at 7 p.m.  The family will also receive guests from 10 a.m. to service time, Friday, October 20, 2023.

The Revs. Jim Matthews and Mike Huffman will conduct the funeral service at 11 am Friday, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

If considering a memorial, the family suggests the Alzheimer’s Association or the Wolfner Institute for the Blind.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Wayne’s obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

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