H. John Lay, 78
H. John Lay, age 78, of Stevens Point passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
A service is to be held on October 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1410 Roger’s St., Stevens Point, with a celebration of life to follow at the Barbershop Harmony House, 3500 Harmony Lane.
There will be plenty of music, laughter, and memories. Please join us as we celebrate this amazing man.
John was born in West Bend, Wis. on October 18, 1941, the son of Henry J. “Bud” and Eunice (Ohlrogge) Lay. He attended local schools in West Bend and furthered his education at UW-Whitewater receiving a Bachelor’s degree in education. He then worked in the family lumber yard until deciding to further his education at UW-Whitewater to obtain his Master’s in Business Administration.
On Feb 12, 1972, John married the love of his life, Wanda Wainscott, in Dickson, Ill. The family moved to Stevens Point where John worked in the business education department at Mid-State Technical College (MSTC). John was an incredible mentor and friend to many students and colleagues in the MSTC system during his successful business career. He became the campus administrator at the MSTC Marshfield campus in 1987 and retired from the MSTC Wisconsin Rapids campus in 2004.
John was a talented and admired musician who had many musical avenues. His musical ability and the sound of his voice and guitar would brighten any room and truly make his soul shine. John was a part of the Trinity Lutheran Church Senior Choir, Monteverdi Master Chorale singer/Executive Director, and Northern Gateway Barbershop Chorus singer/Director. John loved spending time with family and friends while being up north at the cabin, camping in Door County, or just at the table playing games while making up his own rules and snickering.
John lived by an honest, compassionate, intelligent, quick-witted life motto. His commitment to his family, friends, church, and community was immeasurable and will never be forgotten. The imprint he has made on the lives of those around him is inspiring and his legacy and hugs will live on in us all with his stories and jokes being shared for lifetimes.
John is survived by his wife: Wanda, four children: Kerry Lay, Charlene (Pete) Orne, Peggy (Art) Greco, and David Lay, sister: Susan Wage, and seven grandchildren: Ashley Barthel, Emily, William, Greyson, and Hayley Orne, and Tyler and Bella Greco.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Tucker Joseph.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name may be made to Monteverdi Master Chorale, The Northern Gateway Chorus, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
