Wayne W. Hempelman — Hansen-Spear

Wayne Hempelman, age 92, of Quincy, passed peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 12:55 a.m. in Quincy Healthcare and Senior Living.

Wayne was born on January 14, 1933 in Quincy, a son of Lawrence Peter and Mildred Wilhemia Nolte Hempelman. On June 17, 1961 he married Carmilitia “Camie” Saylor in St. James Lutheran Church in Quincy. The couple just recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Wayne graduated from Quincy High School in 1951, having attended Kindergarten at Emerson School and first through eighth grade at St. James Lutheran School.

Following high school, he served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War, where he was assigned to Battalion 82 as a mechanic. In recognition of his service, he was able to participate in the Great River Honor Flight.

Wayne began his career at Gardner Denver Compressors, starting in the stock room and later becoming an assembler of vertical compressors, a position he held for over a decade. He remained with the company for 44 years, retiring on March 17, 1995. During his time at Gardner Denver, he was an active member of the Gardner Denver bowling team, where he met his future wife, Camie. Wayne was a longtime member of the International Association of Machinists and served as president of the Retirees International Association of Machinists for ten years.

He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, where he served in multiple capacities, including as an usher, elder, and treasurer. He was also a member of the men’s Bible study group and the church board of elders.

Wayne and Camie had a deep appreciation for travel and the outdoors. They spent their honeymoon in Estes Park, Colorado, and family vacations often took them to Colorado during the annual Gardner Denver summer shutdown. These frequent trips fostered a lasting love of the outdoors among their children, who each relocated to Denver upon their respective college graduations in the mid-1980s. Wayne and Camie also traveled to Hereford, Germany, as part of a Sister City Tour in 1989, where they visited ancestral sites including the Hempelmann Farm, the family church, and the baptismal font of Wayne’s great-grandfather.

In his spare time, Wayne enjoyed square dancing and camping, and he has been a member of Camper Stampers. Wayne was also a longtime member of the Mississippi Valley Antique Car Club. He owned a 1949 DeSoto Club Coupe from the 1960s until selling it approximately seven years ago. The car was featured in local parades and school events.

In 1971, Wayne and Camie had a ranch-style home built in Quincy, where they resided for over 50 years. Over the decades, the home was the site of many family gatherings and celebrations. Wayne enjoyed helping his children with home renovation projects and was a dedicated supporter of his grandchildren’s athletic and school activities. He was also a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan.

There was nothing Wayne loved more than family. His love was shown through acts of service and there wasn’t a project he that couldn’t tackle.

He set the example of how love lives. At 92 years old, he led a full beautiful life. His family will miss his solid presence, and they celebrate his beautiful life and legacy.

In addition to his wife, Wayne is survived by three children: Greg (Deborah) Hempelman of Parker, CO; Robert (Shannon) Hempelman of Arvada, CO; and Kathy (Timothy) Cooper of Mason, OH; eight grandchildren: Jordan, Joshua, and Kristin Hempelman, all of Parker, CO; Branden (Adriana) Hempelman of Kiowa, CO; Alexis (Spencer) Magladry of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Jack Cooper of Centennial, CO; and Kate and Luke Cooper, both of Mason, OH; two great grandchildren: Ryne Wayne Hempelman of Kiowa, CO and Selah Shannon Magladry of Mt. Pleasant, SC; a sister, Sandra Smith of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bill Hempelman.

Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at St. James Lutheran Church.

Services: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at St. James Lutheran Church with Rev. Marlin Rempfer officiating.

Burial: Private family burial will take place at Greenmount Cemetery with military honors provided by American Legion Post 37 and the United States Army Funeral Honors Detail.

Memorials: St. James Lutheran Church or Great River Honor Flights. Memorial donations may be made on line at: https://memorials.hansenspear.com/.

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.