L. Wayne Updike

L. Wayne Updike, 91, retired minister of the Community of Christ, died Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Mo.

Wayne was born on Sept. 17, 1916, on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, the son of Lewis and Hazel (Babcock) Updike. He graduated from high school in Black River Falls, then taught briefly in two country schools before attending Graceland University (then College) in Lamoni, Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. After his studies, he became a minister and served the church throughout the United States and Canada for the next 39 years. In 1944, Wayne married Mary Elizabeth Malcor, a registered nurse, and together they raised a family wherever church assignments took them including Kansas City, Detroit, Independence, Denver, Des Moines, Washington, D. C., and London, Ontario, Canada. Wayne was a long-time member of Optimist International, enjoyed words and people and was the author of numerous books about faith and pastoral care. In his final years at The Groves retirement home, he spent much of his time writing poetry and visiting with friends. Preceding Wayne in death were his parents, his wife, Mary, who died in 1999, and his five siblings.

His survivors include his son, Lee Updike (Marian) of Independence; his daughter, Vikki Morain (Tom) of Lamoni, Iowa; and three grandsons, Joel Morain (Abby) of Cooperstown, N.Y., Joshua Updike of Los Angeles, Calif., and Michael Morain of Des Moines, Iowa.

A private family graveside service took place the following day at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence. A public memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 19, at his former home at The Groves, 1515 W. White Oak St., Independence. Memorial contributions may be given to Outreach International and/or The Groves.