Wayne LaDon Barnard

Wayne LaDon Barnard, 81, resident of Shawnee passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

He was born September 30, 1941, in Wellston, Oklahoma to Hubert and Ruth (Babar) Barnard.  

Wayne graduated from Wellston High School in 1959 and Central State College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He served his country in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 becoming an expert rifle sharpshooter.

He married Else Zeilinger Rutherford on December 31, 1979, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Wayne lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma before retiring in 1993 from Tinker Air Force Base as a program analyst. He then lived on Lake Eufaula for 20 years before returning to Shawnee in 2017.

He enjoyed his grandkids, traveling, playing golf, fishing, and he and his wife built two cabins together.

He is preceded in death by his parents.             

His memory is kept alive by his wife; Else Barnard of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and Gary Tilley of Lone Oak Texas; one stepdaughter and son-in-law, Lesie and Steve Palmer of Shawnee; one stepson and daughter-in-law, Robert and Paula Rutherford of Harrah;  6 grandchildren, Christi Nelson and Kenneth, Hallie Ashworth and Matt, Courtney Palmer, Chelsey Rostykus and Brett, Tiffany Schniederjan and Lucas, Ryan Rutherford and Kaylee; 3 great grandchildren, Harlie Nelson, Maren Rostykus and Graham Rostykus; sister, Melody Barnard of Eufaula; 4 brothers, John and Jan Barnard of Checotah, Purl “Spud” and Kayleen Barnard of Edmond, Brent and Debbie Barnard of Moore, and Phil and Sherry Barnard of Midwest City; and a host of beloved relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 25, 2023, and continue through service time. Family gathering will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 26, 2023, at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel, under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.