Wayne Brooks

Wayne Brooks, age 80, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 1:50 A.M. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at SSM Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.  He was born on March 3, 1941, in the family’s farmhouse in Carrollton, Illinois, the son of Norman Louis and Lola Marie (Lynn) Brooks.  He married Sherry Jeanne Humphreys on June 15, 1963, in Murphysboro, Illinois, and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his loving wife of 57 years, Wayne is survived by his sons, William Wayne “Billy” Brooks and wife Becky of Centralia, Illinois, and Mark Edward Brooks and wife Penny of Centralia, Illinois; grandchildren, Dr. Justin Brooks and wife Stephanie, Samantha Brooks and fiancé Tommy Smith, Rebekah Brooks and boyfriend Alex Lundquist, Alexandra Brooks, Josie Brooks, Riley Brooks, Jacob Wayne Brooks, Myra Brown, Claire Skillette and Sadie Skillette; great-grandchildren, Landon “Lando” Brooks and Liam Brooks; brothers, Robert Brooks and wife Mary of Saint Louis, Missouri, Delbert Brooks and wife Ruth of Bunker Hill, Illinois, and Louis Brooks and wife Anita of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; sister, Ruth Ann Gilbert of Greenfield, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Brooks and Lola Brooks; daughter-in-law, Christy Brooks; brother, Henry Brooks; and brother-in-law, Myrle Gilbert.

Wayne was a dedicated and loving member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Centralia, Illinois, where he was an elder, chairman of the church board, Sunday school teacher, kitchen aide, usher and greeter.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  He enjoyed fishing, gardening and watching westerns and “In the Heat of the Night.”  Wayne loved to hunt for morel mushrooms and looked forward to the annual family trip to Carrollton, Illinois, to hunt for his favorite mushrooms.  He was all about socializing with people, especially meeting with his guys for lunch at Taco Bell or Downtown Lounge.  Wayne cherished the time he spent with his family.  He made homemade ice cream for them and his last batch of ice cream was made with his great-grandson, Landon.  He was immensely proud of raising his two amazing sons.

Wayne was a flooring installer in Centralia, Illinois, retiring in 2003 after 20 years of service.  He was then a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Allen & Geary Real Estate in Centralia, Illinois for 5 years.  Wayne graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor’s in Agriculture in 1962 and graduated with Carrollton High School’s “Class of 1958.”  Wayne grew up on a dairy farm and farmed his family’s acreage.  He lived in Centralia, Illinois, since 1970 and previously lived in Spring Valley, Illinois.

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Wayne Brooks will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, May 28, 2021, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Paula Comper and Reverend Michael Karunas officiating. Inurnment will follow in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Central City, Illinois at a later date.  Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Brooks, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution from 2:00 P.M. until the time of services at 4:00 P.M., on Friday at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Centralia, Illinois.  The family asks those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Brooks’ honor to the First Christian Church in Centralia, Illinois or Six Lemons, and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Brooks’ family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

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