Wayne Henry McCosker

Wayne Henry McCosker was born on May 7, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Thomas and Carol (Kuether) McCosker. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth but there may have been an airplane in his fist.

By the time Wayne graduated from high school in Barrington, Illinois, the family had moved from Milwaukee to Minneapolis to Chicago due to his father’s airline career. He had also acquired a love of RC airplanes.

Wayne continued his education at SIU Carbondale and found his first airline job with Air Illinois. While in Carbondale, he married, gained a son, Alan, and his daughter, Lindsey, arrived. He joined Ozark Airlines in 1977, which became TWA, and then American Airlines. During his time at TWA, he enjoyed being part of the team that accepted delivery of Boeing 717 aircraft. even receiving a key to the plane. He retired from American in 2014.

In 1989, he married his wife Jan and soon after Caroline and Katie arrived. The family continued to live in the St. Charles area until his retirement. From there Wayne and Jan moved to Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin, and built a home across the road from his mother. Wayne had been enjoying the Northwoods since he was a boy. He joined the board of the local airport and was known to take Jan out to check on runway construction.

At every home, Wayne had a fabulous workshop for his airplanes. There were planes in the basement, the garage, and sometimes the dining room table. He bought Barbies from the girls to use as pilots in the cockpits, and he loved going to jet meets.

He always enjoyed jokes, whoopee cushions, fart machines, and his plastic poop candy bowl. He learned that he did love dogs, becoming dad to three Westies.

He and Jan moved back to St. Louis due to health considerations, a desire to be near the girls, and the fact that it is really cold in Wisconsin in the winter.

He loved his family, friends, dogs, being at home, having a good drink, movies, and airplanes. He was loved and will be missed.

Wayne is survived by his wife Jan, children Katie, Caroline, Lindsey, and Alan, and his sister Karen Lemke (Alan) of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Carol, and his brother Clayton.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at the family home on Friday, November 14, from 5 to 7 pm.