Wayne O. Nienke

Wayne Otey Nienke, 90, passed away at Lewis Gale Hospital on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Wayne was the youngest of three children born to William Elmer Nienke and Annie Beckner Nienke Simmons, both deceased. Wayne was born in Roanoke County and spent most of his early life in the Cave Spring area. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, spending a year in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem in 1950 and from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1961 with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering. He worked at Tennessee Eastman Corporation in Kingsport, TN, Eaton Corporation in Salem, Hubbell Corporation in Christiansburg, ITT at Roanoke, and Plastics One, Inc., in Roanoke. He worked in industrial and manufacturing engineering capacities, retiring from Plastics One, Inc. in 1997.

Wayne was married to Nell Eller in 1954, who passed away in 2009. Wayne married Loretta Walls in January 2011. In addition to Wayne’s surviving wife, he is survived by his son, Rev. Kenneth Wayne Nienke and his wife Beth; a daughter, Kathleen (Kathy) Nienke Laine and her husband, Jamie, of Scottsburg, VA; one brother, Roy Nienke of Charlotte, NC; and sister-in-law Dorothy (Dot) Clay Eller of Salem; stepdaughter, Cathy Owen and husband Larry; and stepson, Michael Walls; seven wonderful grandchildren, Rebekah Nienke Quirin and husband Derrick, Christopher and wife Olivia Nienke, and Jake Nienke (Ken’s children); Ashley Owen Frazier and husband John Robert, and Jessica Owen (Cathy’s children); Colton and wife Katelin Walls, and Hunter Walls (Michael’s children); and great-grandchildren Elizabeth Jane (Ellie), Roan Derrick, Baby Quirin (due in May), William Newton (Newt) Nienke, and Baby Frazier (due in July).

Wayne was a member of several local Baptist churches and at the time of his death was a member of Fellowship Community Church where his son, Ken, is Pastor. Wayne has served in many capacities in his long church life and loved the Lord and his family. One of his favorite places to serve was greeting people in the parking lot of his church.

A graveside service will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24012, on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 11:00am. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Fellowship Community Church, 1226 Red Lane Extension, Salem, VA 24153, on Saturday, January 28, 2023; visitation will begin at 10:00am with the service starting at 11:00am, followed by a time of fellowship. Rev. Ken Nienke will officiate both services. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to attend all events. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roanoke Rescue Mission by those who wish to do so. The Nienke family is being served by Lotz Salem Chapel.

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