Wayne F. Lucke

Wayne F. Lucke, 98, Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 10:24 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra.

Wayne was born July 2, 1924, on the family farm in Marion County, Mo., to Frank W. and Emma E. Frost Lucke.  He was married to Edna M. Frazer on March 19, 1948, in rural Marion County.  In 1985, he and Rose M. Wagner Myers were married in a small country church in Ralls County, Mo.  Both survive.

Other survivors include his children, Teresa M. Yager (Nik), Palmyra; John W. Lucke (Karen), Holland, Mich.; and Robert D. Lucke, Columbia, Mo.; stepson, Larry D. Myers (Martha), Palmyra; grandchildren, Lauren Yager Yates (Scott), Cheyenne Lucke Bittle (Travis), Heather Thompson (Matt), Joseph Lucke, Jackson Lucke, Sarah Long (Don), Josh Myers and Jeff Myers (Beth); great-grandchildren, Isaac, Fiona, Logan, Elliot, Parker, Jaydin, Natalie, Jena, Jonathan, Kennen and Lydia; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold Lucke; and sister, Marjorie Calvert.

Wayne lived a long and fruitful life, having the opportunity to experience several careers over his 98 years.  

He started out farming in rural Missouri, then worked as an insurance agent, later opening a real estate office in downtown Palmyra. Moving on into construction, he started Lucke Builders. He and his loyal crew built over 40 homes in the Palmyra and Canton area, Pollitt’s Motel (now the Budget Inn), and the Latter Day Saints Church in Hannibal, Mo. Next, he founded Lucke Plumbing, Heating & Air. In 1973 he moved the business to Kirksville, Mo. 

Wayne found his true passion when he combined his love of fishing and business, opening the Lucky Lakes Fishing and Campground in 1976, located on the farm where he was born. He could often be seen in his old straw hat with the green visor feeding the fish, mowing on his old Ford tractor or chatting with the folks fishing at the front pond.  

He served as president of the Missouri Fish Farmers Association and loved to tell of a dinner he attended where he was seated next to Vincent Price.  

He was a hard-working man who enjoyed talking to people face-to-face, but even more so on the phone. “Talking politics” was his favorite topic and he kept current on what was going on in Washington, D.C. and never missed voting on election day. 

Wayne enjoyed music. He played the violin and sang tenor in the First Baptist Church choir. He loved to take Rose to Perry, Mo. to watch the country music shows, listening to bluegrass and southern gospel music.  

When he was out and about, he carried “pocket crosses,” a coin that he would give out as he shared his testimony of his love of the Lord with the people he met. 

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 2, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. Rev. Kent Heimer will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra.

Pallbearers will be Scott Yates, John Lucke, Robert Lucke, Nik Yager, Josh Myers, Jeff Myers, Steve Lehenbauer and Steven Schwanke.  

Honorary pallbearers will be Ace Minch and Larry Myers.

Friends and family are invited to Wayne’s life celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5 to 7p.m., Wednesday, March 1, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Palmyra Parks and Recreation to stock the lake with fish and to purchase fishing equipment to carry on his legacy.

Online condolences may be shared, and a video tribute may be viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.