Wayne Edgar Poenitske

Wayne Edgar Poenitske, 85, longtime resident of Wood River, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon.

Born January 15, 1941 in Chester, IL, he was the son of Edgar A. and Norma L. (Lindenberg) Poenitske who preceded him in death as well his step-mother, Edna Poenitske.

He attended schools in Chester, graduating from Columbia High School in 1959.

Wayne retired after 46 years in January of 2005 as a Sr. Print Buyer for Concordia Publishing House after beginning there in the stock room in 1959. He had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River, where he had served as an Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, ushered, sang in the choir, and was in charge of the Lutheran Braille Workers group.

On May 2, 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, he married Elaine Helmkamp. She survives.

Surviving also are a daughter, Kathryn (Mark) Losch of O' Fallon, MO; son, Brian (Janell) Poenitske of Fairview Heights;  three grandchildren, Anthony Losch (fiance', Rebekah McCartney), Ryan Poenitske, and Sarah Poenitske; and a brother, Dennis (Carol) Poenitske in Ocala, FL. 

He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, traveling, watching westerns, and bowling (which he rolled a '300' game).

Visitation will be from 11 am until time of service at 12 pm, Thursday, January 22 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River. Rev. Dr.  David Schultz will officiate. The service will be live streamed on Facebook and the St. Paul Lutheran Website (www.stpaulwoodriver.com).

Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

Memorials are suggested to Lutheran Braille Workers or The Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

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