Sept. 7, 1930 — Dec. 1, 2014

W. Wayne Horton, 84, long-time resident of Buchanan, Michigan and currently residing in Beebe, Arkansas died on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 in Arkansas following an illness.

He was born on September 7, 1930 in Rose Bud, Arkansas to Joseph and Ella (Hayes) Horton. He attended school in Arkansas, but came to Michigan as a young man. He was employed for many years at the former Buchanan plant of Clark Equipment Company, and was later employed at the Jack Post Company in Galien, Michigan.

Wayne enjoyed pitching horseshoes, and listening to country music; but his greatest joy was dancing with his wife at the local American Legion. He is fondly remembered as a “good ol’ country boy”.

He was married in Buchanan to the former Virginia Ann (Tribbey) Andersen, who died in 1990. He was also preceded in death by a step-son, Specialist Paul E. Andersen, U.S.Army who died from enemy fire while on duty in Baghdad, Iraq on October 1, 2009; and by Wayne’s sisters, Vera Horton, Letha Horton, and Faye Ruth Horton and brothers, L.D., Oakland, Ocie, Heston, Dalton, and Arol Horton.

Surviving family includes step-children, Robert (Connie) Anderson of South Bend, Indiana, Linda Haimbaugh of Tucson, Arizona, Rick (Aurelia) Andersen of South Bend, Betty Banghart of Mishawaka, Indiana, and Randy Andersen of Dowagiac, Michigan; grandchildren, Bill (Maria) Anderson, Ginny (Chris) Matthys, Brad Haimbaugh, David Phillips, Jennifer Borsodi, and Beth Andersen; and Wayne’s sister, Pearlee Evans and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Wayne Horton was in Arkansas on Friday. Local family will gather 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, for committal services with the Rev. Randy Pearman of Bethel Baptist Church in Niles officiating at the mausoleum chapel of Mission Hills in Niles.

Local arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com