Obituaries
Wayne DeMaar
September 27, 1943 - March 26, 2026
- Memorial Service
- Memorial Service Pending
Wayne DeMaar, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, coach, educator, and lifelong White Sox fan, passed away peacefully with the first White Sox game of the 2026 season on the television — fittingly wearing his White Sox t-shirt. He was 82 years old.
Wayne was born on September 27, 1943, in DeKalb, Illinois, to Maude and Herman DeMaar, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Curtis Lee DeMaar. Wayne grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, and graduated from Wheaton High School. Even as a young boy, he knew exactly what he wanted from life — to get married, have a family, and be a head baseball coach. He would go on to accomplish each one of those dreams.
While earning his degree in Education from Illinois State University, Wayne met the love of his life, Norma Siegrist. The two married and shared 59 wonderful years together. He later earned his master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northern Illinois University.
Wayne devoted his entire professional life to Unit School District 303, where he impacted generations of students and athletes. Over the years, he taught Geography and Physical Education, served as a High School Guidance Counselor, and excelled as both assistant football coach and head baseball coach at St. Charles High School for more than 25 years. Even after retiring as Athletic Director, Wayne wasn’t ready to hang up his coaching cap — he returned to the field to coach freshman baseball at St. Charles North High School until a stroke in 2016.
His dedication to the game and his students earned him lasting recognition, including induction into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) Hall of Fame and the St. Charles Hall of Fame/Jody Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Norma DeMaar; their children, Fonda DeMaar (Darby Nafziger) and Lance DeMaar (Julie DeMaar); and four adored grandchildren — Skylar and Storie Nafziger, and Meg (DeMaar) Tjaden and Drake DeMaar.
Wayne will be remembered for his warm smile, humor, steady guidance, and unwavering love of family, baseball, and his community.
A Celebration of Life will be held in July at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd, St. Charles, IL 60175.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
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Condolences
Kirk Nichols from St.Charles, IL
"Hello Mrs DeMarr and kids I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Me DeMarr. My deepest condolences to the family. May he RIPKIRK NICHOLS"
Shelley (Best) Ellerston from Pella, IA
"I am so very sorry to her of Mr. DeMaar's passing. He was my Geography teacher in ninth grade, and I knew him well as the HS baseball coach, dating a player and later keeping statistics for the team my senior year. I was happy to see him at our 50th reunion for the Class of 1972 and interact from time to time on Facebook. My sympathy to his family as you grieve and celebrate his life!"
Ken Comperda from St Charles, IL
"I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Coach DeMaar. He will always be remembered as a St Charles icon and a baseball coach for the ages. Prayers to Mrs. DeMaar and her family and for Coach DeMaar."
Jim Vanthournout from Bronston, KY
"I am so sorry for your loss. Always thought a lot of coach. He had a definite impact on my early years from allowing me to travel with and bat boy during the summer state championship run of '77 with Lance al the way through 4 years of Saints baseball."
Stan Parsons from Fort Myers , FL
"I student taught at St Charles HS in 1971 and Wayne was a great guy to be around. I had occasion to get to know some of the kids who played for Wayne and I know they respected his enthusiasm and knowledge. My condolences to his extended family"
Jim Guest from Hoffman Estates , IL
"I am very sorry & sad to hear about the passing of Wayne DeMaar. My condolences and prayers go out to his wife Norma and his family. I was fortunate to be hired by Wayne to head coach the girls gymnastics program and assist in the boys track program. My career blossomed under the Waynes leadership. The tremendous success I had as a teacher & coach go back to the outstanding mentoring I received from Wayne. I will be forever indebted."
Mary Lynn Pasteur from St. Chares, IL
"Norma and family, may you be comforted by wonderful memories of Wayne. He was a great guy. We have fond memories of socializing with you, playing cards and going into Chicago to the Parthenon. May he rest in peace. Herb and Mary Lynn"
Mark Pearson from Boerne, TX
"Many people pass through each and every life. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to know someone like Wayne DeMaar, or Coach to so many of us. The lessons on and off the field remain with me 49 years after we brought the trophy back to St. Charles. Rest assured that Coach is safe at home with our Lord."
Jim Cassens from Wayzata, MN
"Coach DeMaar left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of playing for him. Saints baseball was more than a team under his watch — it was a place where kids grew up, learned to compete, and never lost sight of the joy the game is supposed to bring. That balance is rare, and he made it look effortless.What he may never have fully known is how far his influence reached — beyond the field, beyond the final score, into the lives of every kid he coached. That's the measure of a great coach, and by that measure, he was exceptional.It's a sad day, but it's also a chance to be grateful — for the memories, the lessons, and the time we had with him.Go White Sox. God Bless, Coach."
Kim & Paul Kimmel from St. Charles , IL
"Honestly, he was a SAINT to put up with all of us! Drill Team, basketball, volleyball. all of it! Both of my children went to STC East. Such a good guy. Forever grateful to have crossed paths."
Stephanie from Bay St. Louis , MS
"So sorry for your loss he was a wonderful person"
Don "Doc" Nielsen from Geneva, IL
"Norma, Lance, Julie, Fonda, Darby & Grandkids - I know that you will physically miss your husband, dad and grandfather but know that you will always have those happy memories of him forever in your heart! "Doc" & Nancy Nielsen"
Don Shaw from Crystal Lake, IL
"Growing up in St. Charles, I saw first hand the enormous positive impact that Wayne had on students and athletes. I had the chance to compete against his St. Charles East HS baseball team in the IHSA playoffs when I went to Valley Lutheran HS. His teams were always tough, smart and highly skilled. He brought out the best in everyone and they loved him for it. When I served as a school liaison officer at St. Charles East through the St. Charles Police Department, I saw Wayne's professionalism and dedication to the students and athletes. St. Charles East HS and anywhere Wayne coached was a much better place, the students and fellow staff members were even better people because of him. God grant unto Wayne his Eternal Love and comfort his family in this time of their sorrow."
Scott Martens from East Aurora High School, IL
"What a friendly and joyful man to be around One of my favorite AD's I came across in all my 35 years of coaching. My condolences to the family and all his wide circle of friends."
Laura and Rod Osborne from St. Charles , IL
"Norma and Family We have lost a great man. He will be missed by so many. Fond memories of the St. Charles Athletic Department. Rest in Peace, Wayne."
Murray Hixson from Longwood , FL
"So sorry to hear of the passing of Coach DeMaar. I played for him, at St. Charles, ‘71 and ‘72 season. When I came back, for our 40th class reunion, he offered to give me a tour of the new High School. I took him up on that and really enjoyed seeing the progress that St. Charles had made since I was there. Enjoyed playing for him and valued his guidance during that time. My condolences to his family and the many lives he touched."
Pat Horlock Dibblee from Huntley , IL
"Norma, I am so sorry to learn of Wayne's passing. May you and your family find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have.Blessings to all of you"