Joseph Wayne Hand
Joseph Wayne “Wayne” Hand born on February 18, 1937, in his family’s home in Coin, Missouri to James “Jim” William Hand and Lula Rachel Ellen Harrod. He departed this life on July 23, 2025.
He was a kind and loving human with a fantastic laugh and great hugs. He loved hunting, playing solitaire, solving puzzles, reading, listening to Cardinals baseball games, and spending time with his many friends and family members. His family is happy that he is reunited with Ursula and many other family members.
Wayne was united in marriage to Ursula Frances Bequette on June 28, 1958. He is survived by his daughters Linda Jeanette “Jeanette” Hencken (Tom), Elizabeth Gibbs (Jerry), Robin Miller (Craig), and Gina Hand-Eoloff (Eric), grandchildren Emily Ritter, Julia Balseiro (Daryl), Matthew Gibbs (Constance), Anna Devero (Matthew), John Gibbs (Cassie Duggan), Danielle Uberroth (CJ), Neil Eoloff, David Joyce (Jani), Megan Joyce, Allison Eoloff, Jill Eoloff, Jessica Mueller (Caleb), Sophia Miller, sister Margaret Lou Grammer (James “Patrick”), sister-in-law Gale Brewer Hand, nephew James Everett Hand (Betty), eight great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ursula Frances (nee Bequette), siblings: Willard Lyle Hand (survived by Gail Brewer) and Blanche Olive Campbell (William), half-siblings: Iva Viola Bailey (Harv), Everett Samuel Hand (Eliza Glosser), Alba Leona Booker (Hobart), Versie Emmer Ford (Paris), Nola Mae Ford (Obie), Johnnie Boyce Hand, Reva Mary Barton (Lawrence), Hester Imogene Brindell (Jerome), Enos Judson Hand (Leona Bowerman), and Wanda Lucille “Penny” Hudson Prince (James).
Celebration of Wayne’s life will be Friday, August 8th, 4 pm until 7 pm at Little Flower School Hall,1275 Boland Place, 63117. Funeral mass will be on Saturday, August 9th, at 11 am at The Church of the Little Flower, 1265 Arch Terrace, 63117. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Vincent De Paul Society. Envelopes for this will be available at the celebration of life and funeral mass.
Jeanette, What a lovely lovely write up for your dear Father. Please accept our condolences. Much love to you all, Elizabeth & Stephen
Beautiful picture of Pop from last year’s Ricky Skaggs concert at the Big Top Chautauqua near Bayfield, Wisconsin. He was excited to hear Ricky. May have been his last live concert. As Ricky sang that night:
“Show me where I start.
Find a horse and a cart.
I’m just a country boy.
A country boy at heart.”
God rest your soul, Poppy.
I loved how when he laughed there were times he couldn’t stop. He was funny and kind and a pleasure to be around.
He loved my dog, Ms. LeRoi and would invite her to sit with him while he did puzzles or play solitaire or walk to the corner and back (3 miles!!) He loved when Ms. LeRoi followed him around the house and always wanted to snuggle up to him.
One favorite memory I have of him is when he and I went shopping in Bayfield, WI. We stopped and had coffee and he gave out lollipops to all the kids. Then we went across the street to this wonderful crystal shop. He got a little tired, and the store has a fabulous back area, and the staff was kind enough to let him sit while I shopped. (He was tired, but didn’t want to go home, yet.)
As I finished my shopping I, went to get him from the back room. He was entertaining all the ladies with stories and laughter. He owned that space! We spent another 45 minutes just visiting with everyone in the back room.
Lovely memories. Lovely human. I’m glad I got to know him better.