Wayne D. Muskopf's Obituary
Wayne Dallas Muskopf, baptized child of God, joined the church triumphant on January 3, 2022. Throughout his 83 years, he trusted the promise of his Lord Jesus Christ: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even though he dies.” John 11:25.
In His abundant mercy, God gave Wayne and Elaine Lois (neé Wegener) to one another in Holy Marriage for 60 years. They were married at Elaine’s home congregation of Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, where they made their church home for many years. Wayne cherished Elaine, echoing Christ’s love for His bride, the Church. Wayne and Elaine shared an abiding faith in Christ and a deep love for each other. They made a great team and were inseparable. God gave them three children, Stephani Klopmeyer (John), Jeff (Kathryn), and Chris (Anne), who were baptized into Christ and attended Zion Lutheran Grade School. God also richly blessed Wayne and Elaine with six grandchildren, who brought Wayne absolute joy: Derek, Cassie Stirewalt (Cole), and Jack Klopmeyer; and Beatrix, Jeremiah (2011-2011), and Dorothea Muskopf.
Wayne’s parents, Dalton William Edward (1914-1993) and Dorothy Alma Freida Muskopf (neé Kempf, 1917-2021), took Wayne and his dear sister, Annalee Barker (Steven) to be baptized at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Sugarloaf Township, and diligently taught them about their Savior Jesus. In more recent years, Wayne continued his life in the church at his home congregation of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, where his faith was nourished by God’s Word and Blessed Sacraments, and where he gladly served in many different capacities. Faith and family were the center of Wayne’s life. He loved his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Steve Barker, Tom and Ruby Wegener, Sue Henderson, and Nina Wegener and Stephen Burrow, as well as their children. He greatly enjoyed his relationships with them and with all of his extended family members, and cherished the family history and many fond memories that they shared.
Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves, and enjoyed a long and successful professional career in human resources in the banking industry in St. Louis. He attended St. Paul’s College High School and Junior College in Concordia, Missouri and earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Wayne was an avid whitewater canoeist. He also collected model trains and built impressive model train layouts. Wayne greatly enjoyed reading history, especially books on the Civil War. He had a brilliant sense of humor and enjoyed good-hearted and playful teasing. Those close to Wayne will agree that he was a big sweetheart (which may have had something to do with all of the M&M’s and ice cream that vanished in his presence).
Wayne was an outstanding example of faith in action. His exceptional generosity, kindness, and genuine concern for others are a few of the qualities that left lasting impressions on many, many people. Most importantly, Wayne understood that he was a sinner in need of a Savior’s forgiveness, so he rejoiced constantly that he was a recipient of Jesus’ redeeming work for all people. As a result, God gave Wayne a boldness in telling others of Jesus’s love for them, both in his words and in his actions.
Soli Deo gloria!
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church (612 N. State Street) Freeburg, IL. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL. with interment immediately following at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery (at the intersection of Seager Road and Triple Lakes Road, Millstadt, IL) Lunch following interment.
In e lieu of the customary remembrances, the family requests memorials to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
All events at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 612 North State Street, Freeburg IL (except burial)
Live streaming of this event will be available at http://www.facebook.com/coslc.freeburg
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