Mr. Wayne Thomas Dahnke, 75, of Sanford, NC, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 12, 2021, while surrounded by members of his loving family in the comfort of his home. Wayne passed away after a brave 4-year battle with terminal illness. Visitors were welcomed in his home by him, despite his ill health. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Wayne was born in Milwaukee, WI, to parents Herman and Rose Dahnke, on November 17, 1945. He is survived by his wife Lynn, their daughter Helen and husband Ryan Law, and their son Daniel and partner Casey Ledford, as well as his daughter and son from a previous marriage, Laura Moore and Wayne II. He is also survived by his siblings: Keith F. and wife Patti Dahnke with their children Matthew and Sarah, Linda and husband Larry Balzer, Sharon and husband Clyde Caldwell, and Bruce and husband Randy Marks.

Wayne attended Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, WI, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with honors at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 1968. He joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and earned his Master of Science degree in Economics with honors at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1972 while serving as a 2nd Lieutenant. Wayne served his country in combat in Vietnam. He was a decorated officer, completing over 20 years of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves, and retired at the rank of Major. Wayne lived in Fayetteville, NC, and then moved to Harnett County, NC, and had a long and successful civilian career as a real estate broker and appraiser.  He was a long-time member of Camp Ground United Methodist Church in Fayetteville and was very active in his community in Harnett County.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in Wayne's memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.tunnel2towers.org.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at O'Quinn Peebles Phillips Funeral Home and Crematory, 1310 S. Main St, Lillington, NC 27546, followed by a memorial service beginning at 1:30 pm with Rev. Dennis Lamm presiding.  A burial service with military honors will follow at 3 pm at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC.  The memorial services will be live streamed for family and friends who are unable to attend. Streaming can be accessed via O'Quinn Peebles Phillips Funeral Home Facebook page.