Wayne Paul Welkner

Wayne Paul Welkner of Overland Park, KS passed away suddenly October 6th with family at his side. He was 59 years old.

An organ donor, Wayne was given a “Heroes Walk” through the halls of Stormont Vail Health for his donations. Several people were given a new life through his unselfish act.

The son of Frank Paul Welkner and Marilyn Schneider Welkner, Wayne was born in Shawnee, KS. When he was 16 the family moved to Gibsonia, Pa. where he attended and graduated from high school. The Welkners then settled in Pensacola, Fla. in 1983. Wayne attended Pensacola Junior College prior to transferring to Pittsburg State University where he later graduated with a Master’s degree in Printing Management.

Eventually Wayne started Tangent Press, a printing company in Lenexa, KS. He later merged with J&J Printing where he was instrumental in helping the company earn numerous local and national Printing of Excellence Awards. It was no secret that Wayne enjoyed getting ink under his nails. He was known to return to work late at night to meet a printing deadline.

Wayne was full of energy and loved the outdoors. When he wasn’t on the job he was helping coach his son Ben’s baseball team, leading confirmation class, supporting Roscoe with his hobbies, playing board games with nephews, riding bikes, working in his yard or tending to his fitness training

Wayne, who was predeceased by his father, is survived by his mother, sons Roscoe and Benjamin, ex-wife Peggy, sister Judy (Dianne), and brother Bill (Eleanor) in addition to nephews Nik, Adam (Megan) and Alex, niece Jacquie and several great nephews who viewed him as the “Fun Uncle.”

The family will host a visitation Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at 10:00 am with a service to follow at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7851 W. 119th St., Overland Park. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to be made to Operation Wildlife, 23376 Guthrie Rd., Linwood, KS 66052 or Holy Cross Lutheran Church. 

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