Wayne Bennett Jenkins

Wayne Bennett Jenkins, 98, of Sebring passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Crandall Medical Center in Sebring.  Wayne was born in Deerfield, Ohio on May 6, 1917, the son of the late Ben D. and Elsie M. (Crutchley) Jenkins.  He was a graduate of Deerfield High School and a US Army veteran serving during WWII in the South Pacific, Fiji and the Solomon Islands as a Sergeant, Technical airplane mechanic. Wayne was employed in the family business Jenkins Motor Parts, and as a school bus driver for the West Branch School District for 10 years, retiring in 1979.  Wayne was a member of George D. Worth American Legion post #574, Alliance VFW post #1036, Lions Club of Alliance and a 32nd degree Mason. He was an excellent mechanic who also enjoyed fishing, building bird houses, gardening, and most of all spending time with family.

Survivors include his son Ron (Julie) Jenkins of Alliance, daughter Linda (Guy) DeVaney of Morriston, Florida, 5 grandchildren; Guy J. DeVaney Jr., Tanya (Ralph) Fuentes,  Annie (Greg) Deckerd, , Kristin Jenkins, John Jenkins; 4 great-grandchildren; Cameron, Spencer, Katie, Kest and longtime friend and companion Thelma Greiner.  Besides his parents Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Neida (Eckenroad) Jenkins, whom he married on November 2, 1947, and who passed away in 1980, and brothers Fred and Wilbur Jenkins.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday May 2, 2016, at Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, May 1, 2016, from 6-8 PM and also one half hour prior to the service on Monday.  A Private Interment will take place in Highland Memorial Park. Military Honors will be provided by the Salem Honor Guard. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home Sebring, OH (330) 938-2526.