Wayne Foulke

Wayne Allen Foulke, 88, was born on July 21, 1935, to Leroy and Hazel Owen Foulke of Jewell, Kansas. He died surrounded by his children, at the MCHHS Resident Care Center in Beloit, Kansas, on Nov. 28, 2023.

Wayne grew up on the family farm near Jewell and graduated from Jewell High School in 1954. After graduation, Wayne was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then transferred to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey before being stationed in Germany.

Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Army, Wayne returned to his home state and began a career in construction while working near Manhattan, Kansas. He then moved back near his hometown and was united in marriage to Nancy Lou Gray of Beloit on May 18, 1965. The two made their home in Beloit, and eight children were born to this union. Wayne and Nancy celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2020. Wayne enjoyed a career of working on construction projects with Powell Construction in Beloit before accepting a position with the maintenance department at the North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit in 1983. He continued working there until his retirement in 2000.

Wayne kept himself busy after retirement by helping friends with their small businesses, cleaning, visiting family friends on their farms, and helping with chores, mowing and enjoying get-togethers with his family and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed his naps, watching the evening weather reports and listening to country music on the television and radio.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Foulke; his parents, Leroy and Hazel Foulke; sisters-in-law, Delores Foulke, Doris Cataldi, Mildred Rush and Ruth Pritchett; and brother-in-law, Gerald Gray.

Wayne is survived by his eight children, Greg (Becky) Foulke of Beloit, Brenda (George) Keffer of Inman,, Scott (Valerie) Foulke of San Antonio, Texas, Marsha Verhage of Beloit, Brian Foulke of Beloit, Lisa (Matt) Blad of Beloit, Amanda (Dan) Rader of Lenexa, and Shelly Foulke of Beloit; 26 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister Nancy (Arlan) Bohnenblust of Riley, KS; brothers Jerry (Carol) Foulke of Stockton, KS, Richard (Judy) Foulke of McPherson and Roger Foulke of Longview, Texas; sisters-in-law, Virginia McIntire of Corona, California, Shirley Hayden, Janice Dameron, and Mary Gray, all of Beloit; and a host of relatives and friends.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at the Beloit Methodist Church. Visitation will be today (Thursday) from 1 to 7 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice. Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at http://www.robertsfamilyfs.com.