Obituary of Wayne Straight

Dr. Ivan Wayne Straight, the son of Joseph and Norma (Lighter) Straight, was born February 23, 1928, in Langdon, Iowa. Wayne served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1946 - 1948. He attended Buena Vista College and went on to graduate from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1953. He practiced Optometry in Webster City, Iowa from 1954 until 1963 when he moved to Newton, Iowa. On June 26, 1964, Wayne was united in marriage with Ann Mills in Omaha, NE. He practiced in Newton until his retirement in 1996. Wayne was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed gardening, reading, singing with In Persons and the First United Methodist Church choir. He was very active in the Newton Community theatre and the Newton Noon Kiwanis. He was an active board member of Project AWAKE and the Newton Arboretum. He was a member of the Iowa Optometric Association. Among his favorite memories were family camping trips throughout the United States and Canada. Wayne died on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at the Skiff Medical Center. He was 84 years old. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Lyle Simpson; his brother-in-law, Robert Steig and a son-in-law, Jim Skarda. Those left to honor Wayne's memory include his wife, Ann Straight of Newton; his sister, Francis Steig of Webster City; his children and their families: Jennifer Skarda of Iowa City and her children, Jonathan and Juliann; Julie (Lee) Gunderson of Algona and her children, Ryan and Greg (Mariana) and Christopher (Allison) and his daughter, Gracey Marie; Joseph (Lee) Straight of Puyallup, WA and his children, Tami Scholz and her children, Robert and Tiffany and also, Beau Barela and his son, Hunter; Janet Gillam of Cedar Rapids and her children, Harper (Sara) and Joel (Augusta) and Marty; Guy (Sherri) Mills of Highland Village, TX and his daughters, Jamie (Nick) Peasley and her son, Jett and also, Kelly; Richard (Donna) Straight of Lincoln, NE and his children, Maegen (Matt) Wallace and her son, Landon; Christine (Ron) Roling of Springfield, MO and her children, Katelyn (Chris) Bakunas and Brian. Services will be held 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 11th at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. The family will greet friends following the memorial service at the church. Memorials may be designated to the Newton Arboretum or the First United Methodist Church and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.