Wayne Charles Slegel

November 14, 1944 – June 13, 2026

Wayne C. Slegel, age 81, of Schererville, IN has gently gone to his eternal rest after a brief, but valiant battle with a brain tumor. We can’t imagine that the world can go on without him, but he is at peace and for that we are grateful.

Wayne was born in St. Petersburg, Florida to a young and courageous mother who gave him up for adoption. He was raised by his mother, Alburta (Bushman) Slegel and his father, Albert Slegel who preceded him in death. His infant brother, John Slegel also preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn (Morrow) Slegel; his beloved children: Andrea (Dan Lello) LeDoux of Mishawaka, IN and John Matthew (Kelly) Slegel of Chicago, IL; and stepdaughter, Deidre Danek of Clinton, IN. He is also survived by his grandsons: Ian LeDoux, Gabriel Lewis-Danek, and Wyatt Lewis-Danek; 2 great-grandchildren’ Annabelle and Barry.

Wayne was raised in Mishawaka, IN and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1962. He received his Bachelor of Science degree of Education from Ball State University and his Master of Education degree from Bowling Green State University. Being a great storyteller, he could recount wonderful tales of the good, the bad, the funny, and the sad escapades of the students he cared deeply about. He had a certain wanderlust that gave him the opportunity to spend time in many different school corporations, the last 2 being Warsaw (IN) Community Schools and Griffith (IN) Middle School.

Being a deeply religious man, Wayne found a rewarding ministry through Freedom Bound Prison Ministry. He began with the group in Lake County and helped expand the program to the Westville State Prison. He prayed with and for men who sought and received guidance through a Christian based program.

Wayne was a running enthusiast in his younger years and completed 3 marathons. He was a girls cross country coach, one of his proudest achievements. Later in life he took up bicycling with his wife, Lynn, and they had many adventures along the way, including a 90 mile ride back from Starved Rock State Park one stormy summer afternoon.

Then there was March Madness. Wayne was a basketball enthusiast. He loved to play and watch basketball and his favorite team was IU! He was a fan of the White Sox and the Chicago Fire. His children were generous in their gifts to him of memorabilia of his favorite sports.

Wayne loved to travel and he and Lynn would often simply get in the car and start driving across the country, eventually visiting all 50 states and all but one of the Canadian Provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador will, unfortunately, never know his presence.

Family and friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 9640 Kennedy Ave., Highland, IN 46322. Father Gregory Bim-Merle will officiate. Inurnment to follow at St. John / St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond, IN.

Wayne’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the wonderful medical professionals who helped ease Wayne through his daunting diagnosis. Community Hospital, Northwestern Neuro-Oncology Center, Powers Health Rehabilitation Center and most particularly, Unity Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, Wayne asked that donations be made to the Griffith Educational Foundation.