Wayne D. Schmedemann

Wayne D. Schmedemann, 87, of Junction City, KS entered into eternal rest on January 23, 2020. Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home of Junction City is assisting the family with cremation arrangements.

A memorial service will be held on February 8,2020, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 9719 Clarks Creek Rd., Junction City, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church 9719 Clarks Creek Rd. Junction City, KS 66441.

Wayne was born on June 29, 1932 in Junction City, Kansas to Martin and Norma (Roether) Schmedemann. He attended Junction City High School until he entered into the United States Air Force. He was a trained aircraft mechanic, airframe repair man, and aircraft electrician. During his service, he met and married Corinne Dodd, November 24, 1953 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He proudly served for 4 years and separated honorably at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He moved back home to Junction City, Kansas in 1955.

Wayne used the skills he learned while serving in his civilian life. In 1955, he began work as an automotive mechanic at the Russell Motor Company on 7th St. In 1961, he started Schmedemann's DX service station at the intersection of Vine and Washington. In 1962, he opened a mechanic's shop named Smitty's Auto Clinic on 6th St. In 1964, He worked for Goad Motors on 7th St. as a salesman and mechanic. In 1966, Wayne worked for Montgomery Ward's on 6th St. as an auto shop foreman. In 1968, he worked for the Cummings Oil Company on 6th St. in Junction City as an automotive mechanic. In 1975, he started on Fort Riley, Kansas, with the MWR at the Auto Craft Shop as an Automotive Arts Specialist. Wayne was an ASE Certified Master Mechanic in all areas. He supervised instructors at the Auto Craft Shop. He also used his automotive knowledge and expertise to teach service members and their dependents how to properly repair and maintain their vehicles. Because of his initiative and expertise with the Fort Riley Auto Craft Shop, he was sent to Fort Irwin, California, to develop and oversee the construction of a new Auto Shop facility there.

During his adult life, he was involved in racing as a hobby. He was an avid race car mechanic with a team that set winning records in the 1960's and 70's. After his retirement, he returned to his other hobby of clock repair. He was able to make his hobby into a business. It was called Time and Tinker, run from his residence. His talents were very much appreciated by all as he would repair and restore family heirloom clocks. Wayne enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center for lunch and monthly birthday celebrations.

He will be missed.

Wayne is survived by his loving family: his daughter LouAnn (Kenneth Eckendorf) Schmedemann of Garfield, AR; his son Martin (Renee) Schmedemann of Junction City, KS; his two sisters, Judy Murrison of Littleton, CO, and Lorna Putnam of Minneapolis, KS; his close friend Bob; and a host of loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Corinne (Coco) Schmedemann, parents, his son Richard L. Schmedemann, his two brothers Robert (Bob) Schmedeman and Richard Schmedemann, and his sister Jane Ponton.

Do not stand at
my grave and weep,
I am not there,
I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken
in morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

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