In MEMORIAM
Expanded Eulogies
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Wayne Hornbaker
Wayne Donald Hornbaker, age 86, died peacefully on March 2 in his home in Pendaries, New Mexico.
A resident of New Mexico since 1987, Wayne was born in Dodge City, Kansas. He was the second of five children to Cecil Vere Hornbaker and Lena Anna Bolte Hornbaker.
In the 1930s, Wayne moved to Hillsboro, Kansas, where he graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1948, and worked various jobs to support his mother and sister.
Wayne served as a Corporal in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, when he was stationed at Camp Roeder in Salzburg, Austria.
In 1953, he married Charlene Ann Razor, and the two lived in Salina, Kansas, after his military service. Their union produced three children, Robbie Lynn Blum, Terry Wayne Hornbaker, and Kelly Joe Hornbaker.
Wayne’s work in the automotive business at Groening Motor Company in Hillsboro paved the way for his eventual four decades in the automotive business, which led him from Salina to Denver, Colorado, in 1963.
On October 25, 1974, in Denver, Colorado, Wayne married Jane (“Janie”) Grier, native of Kansas City, Missouri, with whom he remained until her death in 2009.
He lovingly incorporated Janie’s children into his family, and is fondly remembered by them, their children, and their grandchildren.
After moving to New Mexico with Jane in 1987, Wayne became an officer and first responder for the Sapello-Rociada Volunteer Fire Department, a job that he carried on with dedication for the remainder of his life.
Wayne was also a regular blood donor since the 1960s and remained a frequent visitor to the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair, the Hillsboro High School Reunions, the Hillsboro American Legion Memorial Day Celebrations, and the Hornbaker Family Reunion in Kansas.
Wayne is survived by his three children, Robbie Blum (Adam), Terry Hornbaker (Madeira), and Kelly Hornbaker (Melinda); six step-children, Jane Holt (Howard), Kathleen Brown (Michael), Becky Gansen (Jim), Joseph Harrington (Terri), Maureen Castro (Max), and Timothy Harrington; siblings Cecil Vere Hornbaker, II (Lydia), and Geraldine Dolores Hornbaker Seibel Grentz (Gary); 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Janie; parents; brother, Hershel Eugene (“Gene”) Hornbaker; sister, Nina Irene Hornbaker Krotz; and stepson, Phillip Harrington.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Charlie’s Spic and Span’s West Hall. A Spanish lunch will be served.
In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Wayne’s commitment to his community, please send donations to the Sapello-Rociada Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 8, Sapello NM 87745.