Albertus Wayne Stikeleather, 93, of Statesville, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday morning, February 10, 2024.

Wayne was born in Iredell County on February 28, 1930, to the late Howard Yount Stikeleather and Marquerite Fox Stikeleather. He graduated from Cool Spring High School in 1949 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On February 19, 1955, at Fairview Baptist Church in Hiddenite, he was married to Naomi Teague Stikeleather, who survives.

For a number of years, Wayne and his brother, Tom, were in the egg business and provided eggs to many local companies. Following that, he worked 18 years at Clark Equipment Company before retiring in 1996. For a number of years, until recently, Wayne worked with Joe and William Troutman and Carl Gilbert as a funeral assistant. Wayne had a servant heart, and he served with humility. He was a member of New Salem United Methodist Church, where he had served as chairman of the Administrative Board, President of the Men’s Club, a member of the church choir for 38 years, and served on various other church committees. He was a founding member of the Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department and also served as a volunteer fireman for over 20 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for several years.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Stikeleather.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Naomi Teague Stikeleather of the home; two daughters, Kelle S. Love (Scott) of Conover, N.C., and Tracy S. Moore (Jeffrey) of Statesville; four grandchildren, Jennifer Love Isaac (Mike), Rebekah Love MacKinnon (Scott), Joshua Moore, and Hannah Moore Watt (Jeffrey); and five great-grandchildren, Evan and Chloe Isaac of Hickory, Joshua MacKinnon of West Point, N.Y., and Stella and Micah Watt of Statesville. Further surviving is a special niece, Cheryl Ziglar, along with several other nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate the life of Wayne Stikeleather will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at New Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. Tony Matthews and Rev. Dr. Donald Haynes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. Active pallbearers will be TJ Stikeleather, Jeff Moore, Scott Love, Joshua Moore, Jeffrey Watt, and Keith Ziglar. The family will visit with friends prior to the service in the church fellowship hall from 10 to 11 a.m.

A special thank you to nurse Claudia Gordon, caregiver Lynn Daniels, Hospice of Iredell County nurse Bobbie and CNA Melissa. The family would also like to thank Troutman Funeral Home for their love and caring service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Salem United Methodist Church, 155 New Salem Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.