Frederick Wayne Moore

FREDERICK WAYNE MOORE, 95 went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 1, 2025. Wayne was born February 2, 1930, in Albion, IN, to the late Clarence “Ink” and Bessie (Wells) Moore.

On January 17, 1953, Wayne married the love of his life Ina Jean (Paulus) Moore. They raised a beautiful family of five children. Wayne and Ina were married for over 69 years until Ina’s passing in 2022.

Wayne graduated from Wawaka High School in 1948. Wayne held many jobs during his youth to help support his family after the untimely death of his father at the age of 41.  Upon serving in the US Army from 1953 to 1955, he went to work for Hire Lumber Company of Ligonier as their Head Sawyer. While holding that position, Wayne started Moore Logging Inc., producing logs for the Hire Lumber Company. Along with Ina’s help they grew the logging company into a full-time business which produced logs for many Midwest Sawmills as well as overseas Veneer Mills, for over 50 years.

Wayne was a believer in forest management and timber stand improvement for his woodlands. Because of his timberland management, Wayne was selected as the 2011 Noble County SWC Forestry Management Farmer of the Year. In 2015, Wayne and Ina were honored as the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association’s District Winner of the Charles Deam Forest Stewardship Award.

In addition to working hard, Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family, visiting with friends and cherished his time with Ina. Throughout his life, Wayne enjoyed many hobbies including farming, traveling, water skiing, boating, salmon fishing, and tinkering with his antique cars.

Wayne and Ina were avid Purdue fans. Together, they were members of the John Purdue Club and Purdue’s President Council for over 35 years. They attended home football and basketball games for most of those years. Additionally, they followed the Boilers to the 2001 Rose Bowl.

Wayne found pleasure in spending time on his farms to improve the ground for better crop production as well as enjoying the marvel of nature. He adored visiting local restaurants and chatting with friends, especially the Cromwell Lunch Bunch and the Sausage & Sauerkraut Gang.

He gave back to the community through his board member involvement with the American State Bank, Noble County Plan Commission, and Noble County BZA. He was also a past member of Ligonier Elks as well as Ligonier Lions Club. Additionally, he spent several years as a board member of the G. Martin Kenney Foundation.

Wayne was a man of God, very strong in his faith and loyal member of First Baptist Church of Topeka, IN.

Wayne leaves behind a legacy to be carried on by his surviving family: children Teresa (Rick) LeCount, Tonya (Jim) Thieman, Thomas Moore, Timothy (Cindy) Moore and Todd (Lora) Moore; grandchildren Jason (Michelle) LeCount, Emily (Joe) Elrod, Tara (Chad) Thompson, Nicole (Todd) Simmons, Ben Thieman, Jennifer (Tony) Foster, Ben (Nicole) Moore, Nathaniel Moore, Josiah (Fiancé Amy Hurd) Moore, Hannah Moore, Courtney (Kyle) Johnson and Luke Moore as well as 17 great-grandchildren. Wayne is also survived by sisters Helen Hipshire, and Judy Sparrow and sister-in-law Glenda Moore. He was proceeded by his wife Ina Jean, sisters Mildred Miller and Joan Davis, brothers Robert Moore and Paul Moore.

The family extends their sincere thanks to the staff at Greencroft Community, Goshen Hospice and Goshen Medical Practice for kindly caring for Wayne these past few years.

A funeral service will be held in Wayne’s honor at 11am on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN 46767. Burial will take place at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier, IN.

Family and friends will be received from 1-4 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Yeager Funeral Home. There will also be a one-hour visitation prior to the service on Monday from 10-11am.

Memorial contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church in Topeka, Indiana or Goshen Hospice.