DeWayne Leon Brooks, 69, of rural Wabash, died at 5:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

He was born June 2, 1947 in Wabash, to James E. and Anna Belle (Ridenour) Brooks.

DeWayne was a Southwood High School graduate. He was a US Army veteran, and served in the Wolfhound Unit during the Vietnam War. DeWayne received a purple heart and four bronze stars during his service. He worked at General Tire in Wabash. He was a member of the Wabash American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and taxidermy.

He is survived by three children: DeWayne Leon (Tabitha Rogers) Brooks II of Macy; Jeremy (Tammy Fipps) Brooks of Wabash; and Michelle Ricardez of Cincinnati, Ohio; ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his companion, Beverly Kelley of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 18 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, officiated by David Phillips. Burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Vietnam Veterans Association.