Wayne Szafranski, 72, of Urbana, passed away at 5:11 A.M. on Friday, March 28, 2014 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Thomasboro, Illinois at 10:00 A.M. Fr. Joseph Donton will officiate. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana. Interment will be at the Rankin Union Cemetery.

Wayne was born on October 5, 1941 to Henry and Clara (Grzegorek) Szafranski in Chicago. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his son, Steven Thomas Szafranski, a grandson, Mitchell Schoch, one brother and two sisters.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Margaret (Ingold) Szafranski, one son Kenneth (Christine) Szafranski of Mequon, Wisconsin, and two daughters, Laurie (Marvin) Schoch of Naperville, Illinois and Donna Bailey of Ocala, Florida. Wayne was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, Kaitlin, Erin, and Nicholas Schoch and Brooke Szafranski. He enjoyed following their athletic and academic exploits.

After graduating from Loyola Academy High School in Chicago, he entered the U.S. Air Force. There, he spent 21 years in various areas working with the U.S. Nuclear Missile program. One of his proudest military accomplishments was being part of the 321st Strategic Missile Wing when they won the coveted Blanchard Combat Competition Trophy. Wayne retired as a master Sergeant from Chanute Air Force Base where he was a Branch Superintendent of training for the Minuteman Missile Program. After his Air Force career, he attained his Bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University, graduating in 1984 during the same ceremony as his oldest son.

After retiring from the USAF, he then started a 23 year career with the Champaign County Sherriff's Department. Wayne held positions of Correctional Officer, a patrol officer and eventually a detective. Wayne was Farm Bureau Deputy of the year in 1990. Wayne was proud to serve as a field training officer, where he helped mold dozens of new officers for the department.

In 2003, Wayne entered into the most enjoyable part of his life, his retirement. He enjoyed talking with friends and family on the phone and when they came to visit. He loved to play card games, either with people or on the computer. He was a long time regular at the Thursday euchre nights at the Knights of Columbus in Rantoul. He had a lifelong love affair with anything on wheels or with a motor. He could talk for hours about every car or motorcycle or boat he had ever owned, discussing every last detail. He eventually found his last major project, a 1976 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham which he loved finding parts for and getting it restored to a near pristine condition. He loved driving "the brown bomber" all summer long, and the compliments he got on the car.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, in Thomasboro, the Illinois Police Association, the Association of Air Force Missileers, the American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Police, and was a life member of the Harley Owners' Group.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Wayne's name to Wounded Warrior Project or to Camp New Hope.