Wayne Louis Bartruff died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, at The Groves Community Hospice in Independence, Mo.He was born on the family farm in Eustis, Nebraska, to Louis and Marie Bartruff on January 31, 1926. He attended Eustis Public School and graduated in 1943. In his early years, Wayne was a teacher and coach in a one room rural school in Palisade, Nebraska. He married Phyllis Daily January 1, 1950. He graduated from Kearney State Teacher's College in 1959.After completing his BA, he joined the ?rst class of students at St. Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City and was a proud member of their ?rst graduating class in 1962. He served churches in Lathrop, Turney and Holt, Missouri, while in seminary. Upon graduation, he was appointed to First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Nebraska. Over the next 30 years, Wayne served churches in Ames, Fair?eld, Atlantic and Fort Madison, Iowa. Wayne retired in 1991 and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where he served as associate pastor at First United Methodist Church.Phyllis died November 2, 2006. Following her death, Wayne was reacquainted with his high school sweetheart, Twila (Frazier) Luedeman. They married November 27, 2008, in Independence, Missouri. Wayne was the author of 2 books of stories and poems, hundreds of sermons and numerous bad puns. He professed that the blessings of his life were his two marriages, his family and being called to be a pastor, a parent and a servant of God.He is survived by his wife, Twila, Independence; sons, Jerry (Carla) Bartruff, North Liberty, Iowa, Jim (Lindy) Bartruff, Emporia, Kansas, Phil Bartruff, Helena, Montana, Mike (Mindy Tuck) Bartruff, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Larry (Lori) Bartruff, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Max (Suzanne) Bartruff, Eustis Nebraska; sister, Mary Lou (Wayne) Rodehorst, Hampton, Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews and the children and grandchildren of Twila.He was preceded in death by wife, Phyllis Bartruff; father, Louis G. Bartruff; mother, Marie (Lang) Bartruff; and brother, Warren Bartruff.A memorial service was held Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Christ United Methodist Church, Independence, with Pastor Mike Costanzo presiding.Memorials can be made in Wayne's name to Christ United Methodist Church, Independence, Mo., or Eustis United Methodist Church, Eustis, Neb.