Passed away peacefully on October 28th, 2025, at the Palmerston District Hospital in his 85th year. Born in Walkerton to Frank and Vida Eckenswiller. The eldest of seven: Jane, Ken, John, Faye, Lois and Joe. As a child, he was raised on farms around the Lakelet and Belgrave areas. As a young man, he moved to Mount Forest, where he apprenticed with his Uncle Norm at Leibold’s Garage where he earned his diesel mechanic trade certificate at the age of 21. In 1962, he married Lorraine (Alles), his wife of over 40 years, until her passing in 2003. They briefly lived in Toronto but soon returned to the country — city life just wasn’t for them. Over the years, Wayne worked for Cummins, White, Listowel Transport Limited, and Rothsay Concentrate, while also running his own small businesses. Wayne was a hands-on man — a builder, welder, and mechanic. He built his first house north of Arthur and later the family home on Baseline Road, where he and Lorraine raised their family. It became the gathering place for neighborhood kids in every season — swimming in summer, hockey in winter — and a second home for the grandkids. Always room for one more at the table. It’s still the place we all call home. He loved spending time in his shop, where he could fix or build anything, and he had a lifelong passion for restoring antique tractors — buying, selling, and restoring dozens (maybe hundreds!) over the years. Even after a 1979 accident left him a paraplegic, Dad never slowed down. He continued to work tirelessly from his wheelchair, always finding creative ways to do what he loved. His determination, skill, and spirit inspired everyone who knew him. A passionate debater and lifelong learner, Wayne loved turning ideas into reality, piling wood, and talking tractors. His faith was deep and unwavering. For 30 years, he was a devoted member of the Mount Forest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses before finding a path that resonated even more deeply with his beliefs. His curiosity and devotion never wavered. Wayne is predeceased by his beloved wife, Lorraine. He is survived by his children Kathy, Cliff (Becky), Crystal (Jeff), and Carol (James); grandchildren Amanda (Tyler), Melanie (Aaron), Tom, Kyle (Michelle), Shalon (Brian), Travis (Taylor), Emma (Bianca), Jaclyn (Brydon), Melissa (Ross), Kelsie (Chad), Ella, Zander and Grayson; and great-grandchildren Vida, Marlow, Odin, Hazel, Camdyn, Mayci, Tatum, Cooper, Ebony, Piper, Delphine, and Felicity.
If you knew Dad you would appreciate his few simple words of advice:
1. Get your wood piled and split long before winter.
2. Don’t procrastinate — tomorrow has its own set of problems.
3. Swedish Bitters is the cure for everything.
4. And most important of all — say your prayers.
Wayne’s legacy of resilience, determination, creativity, faith, and love for family will be cherished forever. Please join us to celebrate Dad’s life on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 2–5pm. At the shop, 211678 Baseline Road, Mount Forest.