Donald “Wayne” Small

Donald “Wayne” Small, 81, of Dubuque, passed away Monday, June 12, 2023, at home.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 16, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Rev. Brian Dellaert will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, with military honors accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Wayne was born June 9, 1942 in Dubuque, the son of Raymond and Marion “Louise” (Noonan) Small. He served his country with the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. On April 22, 1967 he married Rose Heiderscheit at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rickardsville.

Wayne was a longtime member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, where he and Rose were active as greeters, sacristans, eucharistic ministers, singing with the funeral choir, and 3rd Sunday collection. He and Rose also helped out at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Wayne was employed at John Deere Dubuque Works for 30 years, retiring in 1995. After retirement, Wayne worked as a shuttle van driver for the University of Dubuque. He was a member of Catholic Order of Foresters #774, Rickardsville, and Knights of Columbus #510. He was a regular Blood Donor for the Red Cross, achieving nine gallons donated.

Wayne and Rose loved to travel all over, including Alaska, the East Coast, Canada, and Vegas. He enjoyed visiting various Presidential Libraries. Wayne always made sure to keep the yard in tip-top shape. Wayne enjoyed taking walks, whether it was at the mall, or outside in warmer weather. Wayne and Rose loved going out to eat at Kalmes and Timmerman’s, where they had a special table.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rose, of Dubuque; his siblings,  Nancy Humphries, of Morris, IL, John Small, of Dubuque, Mary Ellen Darm, of Morris, IL, Delilah (John) Schissel, of Rockford, IL,  Dennis Barclay,  and Patty Bonert, of Farley, IA; his in-laws, Mark (Karen) Heiderscheit and their son, Tim, and Pauline (Norlyn) Michel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandparents, Leslie and Martha Small, his maternal grandparents, William and Mary Noonan; his sisters, Sharil and Audry Small, Avis (Glen) Middaugh, and Norma Rodosky; his brothers, Leslie and James Small, and Robert Ford; his in-laws Richard Humphries, Dean Darm, Carl Bonert, Betty Small, Dianne Small, and Donald Heiderscheit; and his parents-in law, Francis and Mildred Heiderscheit.

Rose would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque, especially Adrienne, Jessica, Ryan, Amy, Brittany, and Sarah; and Dr. Amy Ewen and her nurse Roxanne, for all their care of Wayne.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

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