Wayne Theodore Finger, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri.

We always expected this obituary to start with the story of an epic accident. That Wayne's passing would surely be caused by a swarm of angry bees, or a fall from a way-too-high rope swing, or a kick from a bull that didn't want its new ring. Led by a boundless curiosity to do it himself, to learn something, to find a better way, Wayne was always at risk of peril. But in his last contrarian act, Wayne left us in the peace of rest, exhausted from a life that was anything but expected.

Born on July 12, 1937, in Cape Girardeau and raised on the family farm in Frohna, Mo. Wayne lived a full and joyful life devoted to family, adventure, and hard work. In his 87 years, he was a friend to all and never knew an enemy.

Wayne was a graduate of Perryville High School and studied at Southeast Missouri State. To earn money for college and seeking adventure, Wayne spent a summer working at Yellowstone National Park. He helped evacuate visitors during the earthquake of 1959, setting the tone for a life of readiness and action.

Marrying his beloved Joan in 1961 and moving to Encinitas, California, Wayne worked as an engineer for ElectroLab, a pioneering company in development and design for circuit boards. He then worked for Litton Industries when his work with circuit board design was deemed an essential wartime service during the Vietnam War. Litton transferred him to Springfield, MO in the fall of 1963.

Wayne is survived by his devoted wife of 63 many years, Joan (Sifford) Finger; children LaShae Eck (Steve), Lisa Finger, and Craig Finger (Shawn); grandchildren Emily Kadlec (Eddie), Jacob Eck (Erin), Lucas Finger, Levi Finger; great-granddaughter Eleanor Kadlec; and brother Bob Finger. He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Finger, his mother, Esther Finger, and father, Theodore Finger.

Wayne's zest for life was evident in everything he did. He kept hobby farms full of buffalo, llamas, donkeys, bunnies, chickens, and even a peacock; flew his own airplane; was a beekeeper and collector of stamps and "found money" coins. From appliances to electrical cord, fruit seeds, and fell trees, Wayne wasted nothing, especially time. He relaxed by working and only his cat could slow him down.

He loved games, especially Pegs & Jokers with Joan, winters in Yuma, Az. and shuffleboard with new friends. With business he would say, "That may be your policy, but this is Wayne Finger's policy."

He served as a deacon and elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church, volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and at the Dickerson Park Zoo giraffe deck, and maintained an Adopt-a-Highway stretch—walking the whole route himself until recently. But in addition to his good works, Wayne was also a jokester—stealing the light bulbs from Joan's uncle's home, then mailing them back anonymously, one at a time.

Wayne was a natural teacher and mentor, known for his humor, loyalty, and tireless energy. Whether re-roofing homes, building obstacle courses for birthday parties, or helping kids with leaf identification projects, Wayne found joy in both the big and small moments. He was the kind of dad who gave "tours" of their house at bedtime, joined belly flop contests at the pool, grilled the best bbq pork steaks, took treks through snowy woods with his children, and believed there was no task too small for perfection: "The garage will never be dirty again!"

His legacy lives on through his family, the land he loved, and the countless lives he touched. Wayne lived by his own rules—curious, kind, and endlessly generous. As he always said, "You do what you want to do." And he certainly did.

A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, April 21, 2025, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole St., Springfield, MO. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of the Zoo at Dickerson Park Zoo, for the benefit of the Giraffe Deck.

Wayne's Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here .