Wayne L Canning

Wayne L. Canning 86, of Ogallala, passed away Tuesday September 14, 2021 in his home. 

Wayne was born June 28, 1935, at Grand Island, NE, the adopted son of John and Elsie (Barnes) Canning. 
He received his early education in Grand Island and Spalding School District #10, a country school, and received his middle and high school education at Spalding Academy, graduating in1953.
 
Mr. Canning entered the armed services on March 25, 1954. He received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He then went to Keesler Air Force Base in
Biloxi, MS for electronics and radar school. Wayne then went to the N.E. Air Command in Newfoundland where he remained for over two years. Wayne then returned to the
United States and was stationed at the Empire, MI radar site. Wayne was discharged November 18, 1957, at Selfridge, MI.
 
Wayne was united in marriage to Patricia A. Zwiener, August 9, 1958, at Camden, NJ. The couple resided in Germany and France for several years.
 
Wayne spent several years in Germany and France employed by RCA Service Company as a technical representative working with US and NATO forces in Europe. In 1960 he entered college and graduated, in 1963, from Tri-State University in Angola, IN with a B.S. Electrical Engineering degree. After receiving his engineering education, he was employed by Honeywell in Minnesota and Illinois. 

In 1969 he returned to Nebraska was employed by GRI in Kimball as chief engineer for the division. In 1972, Mr. Canning came to Ogallala, where he was employed by TRW and ASC as an electrical engineer for sixteen years. In late 1988 he was employed by General Dynamics in Fort Worth, TX and in 1994 he was employed by Industrial Midwec in Scottsbluff, NE. He retired in 2000.
 
Wayne was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and music. Wayne played in numerous country bands over the years as a guitar, steel guitar, and harmonica player, as well as recording a record in his early music career. He was  involved in local youth activities for several years as a VFW/NRA/4H Rifle Club Instructor, High School and Jr. High Trap Team Coach as well as being a Nebraska Hunter Safety Instructor.
 
Survivors include: wife Patricia of Ogallala, five sons, and ten grandchildren.
 
Douglas and wife Sheila of Ogallala and their children, Mark of Elm Creek, Jeremy and wife Sabrina of Ogallala, Alex and wife Joni of Arthur, Kayla Scott and husband Brandon of Ogallala.
 
Bruce of Brule, NE, and son Brian and wife Tara of Ogallala.
 
Chris of San Diego, CA.
 
Craig and wife Amanda of Ogallala and their daughter Alexis of Lincoln.
 
Justin and wife Chelsey of Grand Island and their sons, Jayden, Kylar, Ethyn, and Keygen of Grand Island.
 
As well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.
 
Mr. Canning was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elsie Canning, stepmother Fern Hatcher, and a half-brother Gale Graff as well as sister Patricia and husband Byron Tullis of Lincoln and great granddaughter Hadley Hegberg of Lincoln.

Visitation will be held  from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the  Draucker Funeral Home Chapel, on Sunday, September 19th with the Rosary being held at 5:00pm mdt from St Luke's Catholic Church..

Mass of the Christian Burial will be Monday, September 20th at 10:00am mdt from St. Luke's Catholic Church with the Rev Father Bryan Ernest officiating.

Interment will be held in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell Nebraska at 1:00pm cdt.

Military graveside honors by the Keith County Veterans Organization Honor Guard. 

Memorial has been established in his memory.
 
Services will be live streamed at www.drauckerfh.com and click "Watch Live". Services will then be posted.

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Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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