Obituary

Wayne Edwin Henthorn
January 26, 1931 – September 24, 2014

Wayne Edwin Henthorn, went to be with his savior, Jesus Christ, on September 24. Born on January 26, 1931 to Mabel and Kenneth Henthorn in Central City, Nebraska, he resided in Long Beach, California since 1937. Wayne graduated from Poly High School in 1948, was employed by Burroughs Corp./Unisys for over 30 years and in a family firm, Corporate Motivators, after retirement. Wayne’s joy was to serve the Lord through the ministry of Bethany Church and School from 1950 to this present day.

Wayne and his wife, Doris (Dunbar) recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary with their daughter, Jane Rutkin; son-in-law Kerry Rutkin; and granddaughters, Kara, Lana, and Dana Rutkin.

The funeral service will be held at Bethany Church, 2250 Clark, Long Beach on Saturday, October 4 at 1:00p.m. A reception will follow.

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Wayne Henthorn wrote his autobiography in private. It has brought joy and tears to his family in reading the sections which he entitled: the years, the family, our homes and dogs, the war and the church. He wrote in great detail but never told anybody. That’s Wayne. Quietly doing something of vast importance as God gave him inspiration. Excerpts follow:

This is a self-centered recollection of the events in my life from 1931 through whatever year I manage to maintain my sanity and the ability of my fingers to peck away at the keyboard.

My parents, Kenneth and Mabel Henthorn lived in Central City, Nebraska when I was born, then moved to Long Beach, California. Soon after that we were invited to attend Bethany Baptist Church where we came to faith in Jesus Christ. When attending a kids’ party at Bethany I met Doris Dunbar whom I dated and later married in 1950.

My love for automobiles began with a 1933 Ford that I bought in 1948 and at last count I have purchased 50 automobiles which has kept me broke but happy. In 1951 I trained with the Naval Reserve as an aviation radioman which experience I used to begin a career as a field engineer at Burroughs Corporation.

Incredible joy came into the Henthorn family when our daughter, Jane Ellen was born. When she married Kerry Rutkin in 1983 it was a turning point in my Christian life and drew me closer to God. Their 3 beautiful daughters are so precious to me and love me “warts and all”. Early retirement in 1986 allowed me to help out in Jane & Kerry’s business, Corporate Motivators and also time to volunteer on a regular basis at Bethany Church.

I was an only child but had cousins who lived close enough to become my best friends. Frequently I attend reunions so that we don’t lose touch. I have been Uncle Wayne to Doris’ brother’s families who we visit on an annual basis.

The adventures that Doris and I have had in Long Beach and now in Signal Hill are crazy and priceless. Our travels have taken us to all parts of the world, but as the song says, “there’s no place like home”.

As you grieve Wayne’s passing, just thank the Savior that he is FINALLY HOME.