Wayne Mead Dearing, 81, passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

He was born Aug. 26, 1930 in Fort Branch, the son of Fred E. and Macy (Mead) Dearing.

Wayne was a graduate of Owensville High School class of 1949. He was a member of First General Baptist Church of Owensville where he served as choir director and led the congregational singing for many years. He also served as trustee for several years.

He was a member of the Montgomery Township Advisory Board. He was a 50-year member of the Fort Branch Masonic Lodge, an active member of the Scottish Rite of Evansville where he served as choir director for 30 years, and a member of the Hadi Shrine, Evansville.

Wayne retired from farming in 1998 and had been part owner of Owensville Lumber with his brother Stanley. He was a school bus driver for route 16 Fort Branch for 24 years. He was an avid supporter of the Owensville School and the Gibson Southern High School Bands.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years Marilyn (Newton) Dearing; sons, Larry W. (Jo) Dearing of Fort Branch, Scott L. (Nancy) Dearing of Owensville; four grandchildren, Joshua L. (Amy) Dearing, Greensboro, NC. Jared T. Dearing Evansville, Amanda L. (Brian) Wilson, Poseyville, and Angela J. (Shawn) McGrew, Haubstadt; five great-grandchildren, Kalley Rocca, Greensboro, N.C. Kayla McGrew, Evansville, Kyler McGrew, Haubstadt, Macey and Braden Dwight Wilson, Poseyville; brothers, Stanley (Ruth) Dearing and Donald (Clara) Dearing both of Fort Branch; sister, Marilyn (Kenneth) Wallace, Cynthiana.

Services will be Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Holders Funeral Home in Owensville. Rev. Bob Douglas will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.