Memorials › Wayne R. Sylvester Sr.
Wayne R. Sylvester Sr.
13 Sep 1938 – 25 Sep 2020
| Birth | 13 Sep 1938 |
| Death | 25 Sep 2020 |
| Cemetery | Saint Joseph Cemetery Ennis , Ellis County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | snipps on 19 Nov 2021 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216142686 |
Bio
Wayne R. Sylvester, Sr., 82, of Ennis, Texas, died peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2020, at Ennis Care Center in Ennis, TX. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Wayne was born on September 13, 1938, in Burlington, Iowa, to the late Margaret (Fairbanks) and Benjamin W. Sylvester. He grew up in Burlington attending St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Horace Mann Jr. High, and Burlington High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force and was part of a communications squadron serving in South Korea. Once returning from his tour of duty he was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and was honorably discharged in 1960. He met Etheline Zmolik in 1959 on a bus traveling north from San Antonio and they married on October 15, 1960, at the St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis, Texas. They made their first home in Oak Cliff and then moved to Ennis in 1961 where they lived out their lives. Wayne worked in construction until he retired in 2010. He enjoyed traveling, going to garage/estate sales, auctions, and casinos. He was an avid collector of various items including stamps, coins, model cars, and Sylvester the Cat items. He loved to show off his cats, Snow White and Bob. His favorite thing to do was visiting and chatting with family, friends, and even strangers. He found connections with people everywhere he went. His very favorite people to see were members of his extensive family, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He adored interacting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Halloween was a favorite event where he insisted all the little ones come to his house to trick or treat. Wayne loved to present them with a $2 bill for their birthdays. His favorite holiday to celebrate with his entire family was Easter. He hosted this get together every year and gave all the kids rides on a train that he pulled with his 4 wheeler. He was preceded in death by his adored wife, Etheline; brother, Wilburt B. Sylvester; and sisters: Betty Tiemeier, Patricia Johnsen, and Shirley Hoelzen. Wayne is survived by his beloved children, Joan Johnson and her husband, Jeff, Sherry Vrana and her husband, Robert, Sandra Mikula and her husband, Andy, Wayne R. Sylvester, Jr. and his wife, Tina and Carla Rhodes and her husband, Troy; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Jo Leyes and Sally Tilton; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. A3
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Family
Parents
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Siblings
- Elizabeth Jean "Betty" Sylvester Tiemeier 1921–2013 FaG
- Wilbert Fairbanks Cecil "Shorty" Sylvester 1922–1975 FaG
- Shirley Ann Sylvester Hoelzen 1926–2001 FaG
- Marilyn Josephine Sylvester Leyes 1934–2025 FaG
- Sally Margaret Sylvester Tilton 1935–2022 FaG
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