STERLING – Wayne Alan Wright, 74, of Sterling, passed peacefully in St. Louis, Mo., on Feb. 23, 2020.

He was born on Aug. 9, 1945, to the now-departed Mary Ruth (Renfrow) and Albert Byron Wright of Mattoon, and he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara (Noonan) of Sterling.  Wayne is survived by two daughters, Julie Bauhs (Mike) and Jessica Jill Wright (Chris Restle), both of Madison, Wis.; a step-daughter, Jerilynn Jones, of Charlotte, Tenn., and a brother, David Wright (Sandi), of St. Louis, Mo. Wayne had five grandchildren and three step-grandchildren, five step-great grandchildren and was a beloved uncle, father-in-law, brother-in-law and friend. 

After graduating from David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Wayne lived and worked in Sterling for 42 years. Following the death of his wife in 2017, he moved to St. Louis to be close to his brother. 

Wayne was the musical director of the Rock River Valley Men’s Barbershop Chorus and served as a certified judge in the Barbershop Harmony Society.

A celebration of life will be held at the Candlelight Inn, 2200 First Avenue in Rock Falls, on Tuesday, March 24 from 7 - 9:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be sent to the Rock River Valley Men’s Barbershop Chorus.