It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne Alvin "Rooster" Hanselmann on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at his home.
Wayne Alvin "Rooster" Hanselmann was born on April 22, 1956, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was the only son born to the union of Alvin Otto and Emma Marie Dambach Hanselmann.
Wayne was a Jackson High School graduate of the class of 1974 and was active in FFA. He was a member of the Brookside 4-H Club and was a lifetime member of St. Johns United Church of Christ where he was baptized and confirmed. Wayne served in numerous capacities on the church counsel for St. John's United Church of Christ, in which he served several terms as President and Vice President.
For many years Wayne worked alongside of his dad on the family farm until his father’s health started to decline, he then went to work in the feed mill at Co-op Service Center in Jackson where he retired June 11, 2018. He previous he worked at Fruitland Auction Barn near Jackson.
Wayne had a love for animals. As a teenager and in his adult life he enjoyed showing Chester White hogs at the Southeast Missouri Fair. Most recently Wayne enjoyed raising and showing his rabbits. He was especially proud of his two ribbons that he was honored with at the Southeast Missouri Fair in Cape Girardeau last year. He also enjoyed tending to his donkeys and listening to them bray.
He and his dad raised chickens and sold eggs to families in the community and many businesses in the area. Alvin and Wayne together were one of the last individuals to sell eggs from their family farm.
Wayne enjoyed going to all kinds of auctions, it did not matter what kind it was, it could be an estate sale, farm equipment sale, livestock sale, or small animal swap meet.
He enjoyed visiting with friends in the mornings at his local hangout “Hardee's” then lunch at Harpers. He especially looked forward to Sunday evenings hang out with his friends at Dairy Queen in Fruitland.
Wayne was known to present sweet treats to his friends and neighbors, especially pies, brownies and cakes, some say they ate a lot of sweets over the years.
His nickname "Rooster" was given to him by the late George Friedrich as his CB handle name. That name stuck with him as many only knew Wayne as "Rooster".
For many years Wayne and his dad, “Big Al” would go to the original Coca-Cola plant to buy bottled soda to share with their friends and neighbors or for church gathering, suppers, or youth activities; this must have been where Wayne's giving heart began to shine.
Wayne was humble and kind with a quiet nature. He had a thing for Ford tractors. He enjoyed riding 3 wheelers, 4 wheels and later his side by side to visit his neighbors. Wayne’s smile, gentle nature, and kindness will be missed by many.
He is survived by his cousins, Harold (Betty) Hanselmann of Jackson, Connie (Roger) Friedrich of Cape Girardeau, and Teddy (the late Debbie) Scholl of Jackson.
In addition, he is survived by his good friends and neighbors, Jeff (Lisa) Craft of Jackson, their daughter, Alisha (Ben) McMillan and their granddaughter, Lynnlee, all of Fletcher, NC., along with his good friends and neighbors, Brian "Slim" Schoenebeck, Bobby Abernathy, Dave Ringwald, Dale Kutcher, and Lawrence McBryde, all of Jackson, who would occasionally joined Wayne at his garage to cut up and solve the world’s problems, and last, but not least his good buddy from Co-op Service Center, Kevin Walker of Patton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin Otto and Emma Marie Dambach Hanselmann, an uncle, Willie Hanselmann, an aunt, Alma Clingingsmith, and two cousins, Robert “Bob” Clingingsmith and Debbie Scholl.
A visitation celebrating Wayne’s life will be Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 10 am until service time at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Jackson.
Wayne’s celebration of life service will follow at 12 noon at the church with Dr. Rodney Pensel officiating.
A graveside service will follow Wayne’s celebration of life service in the church cemetery.
In leu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's German Evangelical Church Cemetery (St. John's United Church of Christ) 781 State Hwy FF, Jackson MO 63755.
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