Roger “Wayne” Stearns, 64, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. He was born on June 24, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to Paul and Marie (Honeycutt). On November 14, 1978, he married his wife Judith (Childers), and on April 1, 1995, his dream became his reality when he began his own business, Wayne’s Towing. For over 28 years, Wayne worked every day to make his business successful and what it is today. He passed away doing what he loved to do. In his final moments he was operating his newest truck. It was also the truck that meant the most to him, #313, which is symbolic, as it was the birth weight of his great-grandson, Nathaniel, who gained his angel wings at only 7 weeks old, almost a year ago. His previous truck, #5, was passed down to another driver. This truck is, and has been, operated by not only just a driver, but his dear friend for 20+ years, Anthony Brown.
The family left behind include: his wife of 43 years, Judy, who passed away just 8 days after her beloved husband; sons, Joshua and Jorddan Stearns; and daughter, Jennifer Stearns; grandsons: Zander (Tiarra), Malachi, Joseph Borash and Dakota Sullivan; granddaughters: Maylynne, Amy, and Willow Sullivan; great-granddaughter, Gwyneth Borash; brothers: James, Steve, Larry and Billy; sisters: Juanita (Daniel) Kempski, and Bambi Street; and several nieces and nephews.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Marie Stearns; his daughter Jamy Stearns; great grandson, Nathaniel Borash; his brother, Lee; sisters-in-law: Roni, Donna and Jeanie Stearns; and nephew Travis.
Visitation for Wayne and Judy will be held Friday, June 16, from 4 – 8 PM at Calumet Park Hobart Portage Chapel (370 N. County Line Road, Hobart). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Station Police Department and/or K9 Unit.