Wayne VanNieuwenhze, 70, of Blissfield passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at the Toledo Hospital. He was born on January 17, 1943 in Adrian, Michigan to Henry and Irene (Staup) VanNieuwenhze. In his youth he played basketball and was an accomplished baseball player. On March 17, 1962, Wayne was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Sallie Griewahn in Palmyra. Wayne worked as a Master Bricklayer for Krieghoff for 18 years and was also employed by General Motors for 30 years before retiring. He was a little league coach for many years and belonged to numerous golf and bowling leagues in Blissfield and Adrian. Wayne was a talented stained glass artisan. He was a proverbial jokester and teaser and enjoyed woodworking. Surviving is his wife, Sallie VanNieuwenhze of Blissfield, two children, Michael (Carrie) VanNieuwenhze of Bloomington, Ind., and Kristin (Robert) Cannon of Blissfield; four grandchildren, Andrew (Alli) VanNieuwenhze and Alex VanNieuwenhze and Kyle and Corey Cannon; 3 step-grandchildren, Josh, Jake and Kim Cleveland; a sister, Carol McIntyre of Onsted, and a brother, Robert (Nancy) VanNieuwenhze of Sand Creek, many nieces and nephews and especially his feline buddy, Lucy. He was preceded in death by his parents and a child at birth. Funeral services for Wayne took place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2014, at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home in Blissfield with the Rev. Robert Bidwell officiating, cremation followed. Condolences to the family may be given online at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or to the Lenawee Humane Society. Envelopes will be available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.