E. Wayne Campbell
E. Wayne Campbell, 90, of Elizabethtown, formerly of Chicora, went to be with his Lord Thursday morning, May 22, 2025. Wayne passed away peacefully at home.
Wayne was born in Greenville, Mercer County, on July 10, 1934. He was the son of the late Amos M. and Sarah E. Armagost Campbell. He grew up in Greenville, later moving to Chicora. He was a graduate of Karns City Area High School.
The majority of his professional career was spent working for Magnetics and Spang Inc. in Butler. He started as an hourly employee and rose to the ranks of upper management due to his hard work, willingness to learn and business acumen. Several years after his retirement, he and his wife, Donna, moved to the Masonic Village of Elizabethtown in Lancaster County.
The embodiment of Faith, Family and Freedom, Wayne loved the Lord, his family, his church, his community and his country. Wayne served in the Army National Guard, and as a leader in Junior Achievement. Wayne had also served on the consistory of the former St. John Reformed Church in Chicora and St. Peter Reformed Church in Fairview, and had most recently been a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicora. Wayne was a longtime member of the Karns City Area School Board and served the board as president. He was a dedicated community servant during his many years on Earth.
Wayne was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many. He never missed seeing his daughters in a performance, awards ceremony or horse show. His pride and participation in family continued into the next generation as he attended as many of his grandchildren’s events as possible. He couldn’t wait to have his entire family together for his 90th birthday celebration in July 2024.
No request for help or advice was ever turned away. He loved the outdoors, and many family vacations were spent in warm, sunny places, often in a camping trailer. Throughout the years he boated, rode snow mobiles and motorcycles, and never missed the annual deer hunting season with his family. Their motor home was a big part of his and his wife’s retirement. They enjoyed visiting family and seeing the country. He loved to work with his hands, especially while building his and Donna’s first home, as well as many other wood crafting projects.
Wayne was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Donna P. Zahniser Campbell. Mrs. Campbell passed away on Feb. 6, 2021.
Wayne is survived by his daughters, Pamela Schleiden and her husband, Roy, and Lori Groff and her husband, Rick; his sisters, Joan Snyder Garing and Roberta Vensel; six grandchildren, Amanda Troup, Lynndon Groff and his wife, Zoe, Jillian Robinson and her husband, Christopher, Randall Groff and his wife, Stephanie, Randen Schleiden and his wife, Erin, and Adrienne Garnier and her husband, Corey. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Bryson, Soul, Riley, Juniper and Shep; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kristen Dawn; his brothers, David, Frank, Amos and Fred; his sisters, Margaret Rankin Hornberger and Jane Rodgers; a nephew, Rick Vensel, as well as a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
It is impossible to imagine the coming years without visiting him and hearing his voice on the phone. However, his family will rejoice in the knowledge that he is united with Donna and baby Kristen, as well as all the family members who have preceded him into glory. We take comfort in the fact that he has heard the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
CAMPBELL — Friends of E. Wayne Campbell, who died Thursday morning, May 22, 2025, will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.
A funeral service will be held at noon Thursday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2217 Chicora Road, Chicora, with church pastor, the Rev. Joseph Boomhower, and Wayne’s grandson, 1st Lt. Chaplain the Rev. Randen Schleiden, U.S. Army, co-officiating. There will be no viewing at church.
Interment with military honors, accorded by the Chicora and Bradys Bend American Legion posts, will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Chicora.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Campbell’s name may be made to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053; the Masonic Village of Elizabethtown at www.masonicvillageelizabethtown.org/donate; or Grove City College at www.gcc.edu and click the tab that says “GIVE.”
To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.
Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.