Wayne A. Gibbons passed away Sunday, December 25, 2016 peacefully in his home.  Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 31at Overton Funeral Home with visitation to be held from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to services.  A family burial to follow in the St. Charles Cemetery, St. Charles, IA.

Wayne was born May 5, 1927 to Truman and Zora Gibbons.  After graduating from Murray High School, he joined the United States Navy in the fall of 1945.  During his service, he was stationed in Japan and achieved the rating of Seaman first class.   He was presented with the World War II Victory Medal for his service in World War II and was honorably discharged November 12, 1947.

In October, 1948 he married Betty Smart to which 5 children were born: Terry, Debbie, Cindy, Tammie and Tracy.

After the Navy, Wayne returned to Iowa and farmed until his retirement in 1982.  He enjoyed going dancing on Saturday nights.  Wayne was a faithful follower of all Iowa Hawkeye sports especially football and would celebrate every touchdown with a phone call to Debbie asking if she saw that touchdown.  And if he could corral anyone to play cards, they were his for 2 or 3 hours.  And he was sharp at it, showing no mercy.  But the dead giveaway was that twinkle in his eye when he thought the hand he was holding was going to take care of business.

Wayne is survived by his children; Terry (Lora) Gibbons, Debbie Lash, Cindy (Pat) Wadle, Tammie Gibbons and Tracy Hancock; grandchildren, Jeremy, Matt, Amy, Sean, Cory, Jason, Jamie, Cody, Brianna and 11 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, parents, Truman and Zora Gibbons and son-in-law, Regi Lash.

Family fondly remembers Wayne saying  as they would leave to go home take your time going but hurry back.

Memorials may be made to the family with a charitable organization to be determined at a later date.