Obituaries

Retired Crane and Steel Engineer and Vietnam Veteran, Wayne May, passed away
peacefully on August 26, 2022, at the age of 79, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee and raised in Hurricane Mills, Wayne was a simple
country/farm boy. He attended grade school with Loretta Lynns children and loved riding
along with his Dad, while they tended to neighboring farms.
Wayne relocated to the suburbs of Chicago, IL. He joined the service in 1968, serving as a
Decorated Naval SeaBee during the Vietnam war. He helped build U.S. Army camps and
conducted military engineering projects. He was awarded the National Defense Service
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia, the
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. Wayne was
forever proud of this work and cherished being a U.S. Veteran. These skills helped him
follow in his Dad’s footsteps, to being one of the best Crane Operators in the Midwest,
working as a Crane and Steel Engineer, setting steel on many prominent Chicago highrises
and buildings throughout the Chicago area over 45 years.Simple pleasures in life brought
Wayne great joy, specifically his family and grandkidswhom he loved dearly, their yearly
vacations across the country, great food and spendingtime at the Lake. He was an avid golfer
and enjoyed his time on the course with his wifeof 50 years, Mary Jo, his cousin JR Greathouse
and friend Jim Diomar.

Wayne May is survived by his amazing wife, Mary Jo, his son, Tim (Tina) May, his
daughters, Chrissy May and her fiancé (Tony) and Cindy (Mark) Odle; Wayne’s 4
Grandchildren: Chase, Logan, Lexi and Tyler. He is also survived by his sister Kathy May
Reed.

Funeral services are scheduled for early October in his home state of Tennessee.

• Send Flowers
• Guest Book
• Share
• Email
• Print