Wayne L. Masters

Wayne L. Masters, 95, of Westerville, formerly of Oelwein, IA, Mount Prospect, IL, Richmond, IL and Santa Teresa, NM passed away on March 8, 2024. He was the ninth of 13 children born to the late Jessie M. and Effie M. (Reed) Masters. In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn M. (Harrington) Masters; brothers Glen, Ralph, Donald, Delbert, Jess, Jr., Howard and Raymond and sisters Velma (Mervin), Dorothy (Olsen), and Florence (Spece). He is survived by sisters Dolores (Novak) and Norma Lee (Roger) (Van Haaften), brother-in-law Claire (Anna Mary) Harrington, and sisters-in-law Norma Masters and Alyce Masters, plus numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

After serving in the Army during the Korean conflict in Stuttgart, Germany, Wayne completed a five-year course at the Tool and Die Institute in Chicago, IL, and received his completion as a Journeyman mold maker. While attending school he worked as an apprentice in the trade at Die and Tool Company of Chicago. Following his formal training, he worked at several plastic mold building companies in the greater Chicago area.

In 1962, Wayne returned to his hometown to assist in running family-owned Iowa Portable Mill Company as vice president, sales manager. In 1968 he returned to the Chicago area and resumed his career in plastics at Plas Tool Company. As the lead mold maker, he concentrated on manufacturing and tooling for the 8-track audio cassette industry. With several years of tooling under his belt, he was offered a position as vice president, general manager of Automated Mould Industries in 1972. He was instrumental in building the company from $100,000 to $10 million and oversaw the company’s 200 employees. Some key accounts included Black & Decker, Milwaukee Electric Tool, West Bend, Motorola, among others. In 1988 after the business was sold to Richco Plastics Company, Wayne retained his position as vice president, general manager until 1993 when he was promoted to corporate vice president in charge of support for General Electric Company and various automotive accounts. In 1994, Wayne was asked to establish a new injection molding operation in El Paso, TX to serve the Maquiladora industries. He was influential in the development and management of this new facility until his retirement in 1998.

Wayne also held several community positions. He is an honored member of the Knights of Columbus having earned his fourth degree. Outside of work Wayne enjoyed golfing, playing cards with friends, his involvement in the Catholic church, fixing furniture for St. Vincent de Paul, piddling in the yard or garage, his cars, road trips and travel.

Wayne will be greatly missed by sons, David (Barbara) Masters, Daniel (Najat) Masters, Alan (Karen) Masters and Brian (Eric) Masters and daughter Kathleen/Kelly (Lou) Borth as well as his 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and special caregivers who were important members of the family.

A Catholic Mass and burial will take place in Oelwein, IA at a future date.