GREENFIELD
Wayne Leon Keesling, 86, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away on June 25, 2024. He was born on his grandfather’s farm in Henry County, Indiana on April 22, 1938 to S. Arthur and Alice (Bowers) Keesling. He graduated from New Castle High School in 1956 and married his high school sweetheart, Patty Mundell, on July 10, 1957. He graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. in Industrial Technology and later received his M.S. in Technical Education from Indiana State University.
Wayne served 3 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1983. He served at various worldwide locations during the Vietnam conflict and was assigned as an electronics technician to the flying command post during this time. He was later stationed for four years at Andrews AFB, outside Washington, D.C., maintaining the presidential aircraft, Air Force One. He was later assigned to a weather organization, whose duties included monitoring Pacific typhoons, launching missions from Andersen AFB, Guam. He was later stationed in England where he assisted in opening a reclaimed location for the U.S. Air Force for use in the Middle East conflict. One of these operations was supporting the attempted rescue of American hostages in Iran.
After his military retirement, Wayne was employed as a professor at Vincennes University teaching Electronics Technology. He retired from VU as a full professor in 2000.
Wayne enjoyed participating in sports and was an avid woodworker. He was a member of Trinity Park Church. He continued to be active in these interests to the time of his passing.
Survivors include his spouse of 67 years, Patty; son, Kirt Keesling, and daughter-in-law, Becky (Long) Keesling; granddaughters, Kirsten Keesling and Devin (Michael) Crecelius; great-grandchildren, Quinnton, Norman, Dianna and Johnathon; and brother, Ronald Keesling. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Keesling, killed in Viet Nam; and great-granddaughter, Ryana Nix.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 8, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 4:00 P.M. at the mortuary. Pastor Andy Flink will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Park Church, 207 W. Park Av, Greenfield, IN 46140; or Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, at their website, www.toysfortots.org. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.
