E. Wayne Campbell

E. Wayne Campbell

E. Wayne Campbell, 90, of Elizabethtown, formerly of Chicora, went to be with his Lord on Thursday morning, May 22, 2025.  Wayne passed away peacefully at home. 

Wayne was born in Greenville, Mercer Co., on July 10, 1934. He was the son of the late Amos M. and Sarah E. Armagost Campbell.

He grew up in Greenville later moving to Chicora. He was a graduate of Karns City Area High School. The majority of his professional career was spent working for Magnetics and Spang, Inc., in Butler. He started as an hourly employee and rose to the ranks of upper management due to his hard work, willingness to learn, and business acumen. Several years after his retirement, he and his wife Donna moved to the Masonic Village of Elizabethtown in Lancaster County.   

The embodiment of Faith, Family, and Freedom; Wayne loved the Lord, his family, his church, his community, and his country. Wayne served in the Army National Guard and as a leader in Junior Achievement. Wayne had also served on the consistory of the former St. John Reformed Church in Chicora and St. Peter Reformed Church in Fairview and had most recently been a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicora.

Wayne was a long-time member of the Karns City Area School Board and served the board as President. He was a dedicated community servant during his many years on earth.  Wayne was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. He never missed seeing his daughters in a performance, awards ceremony, or horse show. His pride and participation in his family continued into the next generation as he attended as many of his grandchildrens’ events as possible.

He couldn’t wait to have his entire family together for his 90th birthday celebration in July of 2024. No request for help or advice was ever turned away. He loved the outdoors and many family vacations were spent in warm, sunny places, often in a camping trailer.

Throughout the years he boated, rode snowmobiles and motorcycles, and never missed the annual deer hunting season with his family. Their motorhome was a big part of his and his wife’s retirement. They enjoyed visiting family and seeing the country. He loved to work with his hands especially while building his and Donna’s first home, as well as many other wood crafting projects. 

Wayne was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Donna P. Zahniser Campbell. Mrs. Campbell passed away on February 6, 2021. 

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Pamela Schleiden and her husband, Roy, and Lori Groff and her husband, Rick; his sisters, Joan Snyder Garing and Roberta Vensel; six grandchildren, Amanda Troup, Lynndon Groff and his wife, Zoe, Jillian Robinson and her husband, Christopher, Randall Groff and his wife, Stephanie, Randen Schleiden and his wife, Erin, and Adrienne Garnier and her husband, Corey. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Bryson, Soul, Riley, Juniper, and Shep, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kristen Dawn; his brothers, David, Frank, Amos, and Fred; his sisters, Margaret Rankin Hornberger and Jane Rodgers; a nephew, Rick Vensel, as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. 

It is impossible to imagine the coming years without visiting him and hearing his voice on the phone. However, his family will rejoice in the knowledge that he is united with Donna and baby Kristen as well as all the family members who have preceded him into Glory. We take comfort in the fact that he has heard the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday. May 28, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 12-noon on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2217 Chicora Rd., Chicora, with church pastor, Rev. Joseph Boomhower, and Wayne’s grandson, US Army 1LT Chaplain, Rev. Randen Schleiden, co-officiating. There will be no viewing at church. Interment with military honors accorded by the Chicora and Brady’s Bend American Legion Posts will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Chicora.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Campbell’s name may be made to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Rd., Renfrew, PA 16053, the Masonic Village of Elizabethtown at www.masonicvillageelizabethtown.org/donate/ or Grove City College at www.gcc.edu and click the tab that says “GIVE”. To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.