Obituary of Wayne Elon Werner

Dr. Wayne Elon Werner, EdD, was born January 11, 1937 in Attica, New York and passed away surrounded by family and friends on February 5, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents Elon Frederick Werner and Ruth Taylor Werner. He is survived by wife Peggy (Margaret) Rounseville; son Elon Werner and wife Jennifer, children Abby and Nick; daughters Lori Delavak and husband Mark, children Connor, Ettie and Luke; and Wendy Knight and husband Greg, children Daniel and Elizabeth; sister Sandra Balzhiser; nephews Michael Balzhiser and Eric Balzhiser (wife, Molly), niece Susan Titchen (husband, Martin); and numerous grand-nieces and nephews.

Throughout his life his passions included education, camping and fishing. A graduate of State University of New York-Buffalo; Wayne earned his doctorate in Education from SUNY-Buffalo in 1969. During this time he worked for the YMCA and Presbytery of Northern New York; taught high school in Westfield, New York; directed the Harkness Center, Buffalo, New York. 

After earning his doctorate, Wayne taught counseling and psychology at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, and at East Texas State University-Texarkana (now Texas A&M – Texarkana). After decades as an educator, Wayne returned to his passion of camp operations owning and operating The Lodge at Parent Lake, Senneterre, Quebec, Canada, from 2000 to 2011.

Music and the ministry were also close to Wayne’s heart. He was a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for 52 years, performing in numerous quartets and choruses. For many years he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Winnsboro, Texas, where he served as an ordained Ruling Elder and as Vice-Moderator, Grace Presbytery (PCUSA) from 1981-1982. As a resident of Grace Presbyterian Village, Dallas, Texas, he actively volunteered.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held February 25, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel at Grace Presbyterian Village, 550 East Ann Arbor Avenue, Dallas, TX 75216, (p) 214-376-1701.

Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Village’s Caring Fund, the Barbershop Harmony Society, and First Presbyterian Church, Winnsboro, Texas.