Wayne Franck, 50 of Aledo, died unexpectedly Wednesday, February 15, 2023 on the family farm in rural Aledo. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 22, at the Preemption United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Preemption Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Memorials may be left to the Mercer County Ag Society for the Mercer County Fair.
Wayne was born January 19,1973 in Silvis, Illinois, to Roger and Nancy (Bull) Franck of Aledo. Wayne was a 1991 graduate of Sherrard High School, then attended Western Illinois University in Macomb where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture Science.
While at WIU, he met his wife Suerrette (Bavery) Franck. They were married on September 2, 1995. Wayne came back to Aledo to begin farming with his father and grandfather on the family farm. In addition to farming, Wayne enjoyed being a seed dealer for Beck’s Hybrid. In 2003, he and his wife had twin sons, Walter Harold and William Roger Franck.
Wayne was a wonderful and devoted husband and father. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family and especially with his boys. He loved watching his boys play sports, show cattle, and play music. Wayne enjoyed traveling with his wife to warm locations during the winter. Wayne had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile and he loved hanging out laughing with friends.
Wayne had a truly kind heart and loved helping others. Wayne had a great love for the Mercer County Fair and was a previous Beef Superintendent and a current member of the Mercer County Fair Board since 2006. He was also a member of the Preemption United Methodist Church and on the Hamlet Mutual Board.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Suerrette; sons, Walter and William; parents, Roger and Nancy Franck; sister, Karen (James) Abendroth; in-laws, William and Kathryn Bavery; brother-in-law, Floyd Bavery; nieces, Erin (Stephen) Cullen and Bayley Abendroth; nephews, Brad (Taylor) Bavery and Zac (Heather) Abendroth; three great nieces; one great nephew; aunts, Eleanor Barnes and Marilyn (Tom) Bullington; and uncle, Mark (Michelle) Bull.
Wayne was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Elsie Franck and Betty Bull and Lytle Bull, and aunts, Linda Bieri-Bethurem and Verna Franck.