Wayne Rasmus, 89, of Rantoul passed away at 7:56 a.m. Monday, January 1, 2018, at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2018 at the American Lutheran Church, 500 Church Drive, Rantoul with Pastor Matt Bahnfleth officiating with Military Honors by the Paxton American Legion Prairie Post 150. Burial will follow in Glen Cemetery, Paxton.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells Street, Paxton with Masonic Funeral Rites at 7:00 p.m. by the Paxton Masonic Lodge #416 A.F. & A.M. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

Wayne was born January 1, 1929 in Paxton the son of Melvin and Mabel Larson Rasmus. He married Deena Stephanou October 10, 1953 in Paxton. She preceded him in death February 25, 2007.

He is survived by a daughter, Connie (Dale) Franzen of rural Rantoul; two grandsons, Justin (Alisyn) Franzen of St. Joseph, Nick (Kellie) Franzen of Royal; three great grandsons, Nolan, Brock and Evan; four nephews, Don Rasmus, Jim Rasmus, Royce Baier, Jim Stephanou; two nieces Melissa Stephanou, Rhonda Nottelmann; a sister-in-law, Marcella Stephanou and several great nephews and nieces.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Laverne Rasmus.

Wayne graduated from Loda Twp. High School and attended the University of Illinois. He served in the United States Air Force 1948-1952 and on Okinawa from May 1950 to March 1952 during the Korean War. He was a salesman for Rantoul Motors for 40 years and a Bailiff at the Champaign County Court House for 16 years.

He was a member of the American Lutheran Church, Rantoul and had served on the church board. He was also a member of the Rantoul American Legion Post 287, Paxton American Legion Prairie Post 150, Paxton VFW Post 4214, Paxton Masonic Lodge #416 A.F. & A.M., Shriners International and the Rantoul Exchange Club. Wayne served as Trustee on the Rantoul Village Board for 18 years and had been the Executive Director of the Rantoul Chamber of Commerce for a number of years.


Wayne never met a stranger and always enjoyed a good conversation. He looked forward to golfing with his best buddy, Doug Wright. His greatest joy was his family, especially his grandsons and great grandsons.

Memorials may be made to the American Lutheran Church, Rantoul, Paxton VFW Post 4214 or the Shriners Hospital for Children. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.