Joe DeWayne Dimit

J. DeWayne Dimit (DeWayne), 86, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at his home due to complications from a stroke. DeWayne was born in Grenada, Mississippi on May 11, 1939, to Henry Lee Wilburn and Marie (Van Story) Dimit.

DeWayne graduated from Central High School in Fort Wayne and Magnavox Apprentice School. He held a 47-year career with International Harvester in Fort Wayne as a Senior Process Development Manager. He retired in 2007.

DeWayne was the founder and owner of Professional Track Services Inc. (PTS). He was also the owner of Baer Field Raceways for many years. DeWayne assisted and influenced the original design for Baer Field Raceway in Fort Wayne. Member of Baer Field Raceway Hall of Fame, ARCA, IHRA, and Michigan Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He was also a promoter of auto racing in the Midwest.

DeWayne’s love for racing was well known by anyone who was around him, on and off the track. Safety of the drivers and crew were always his biggest concern at the track. The pride he had in his hand-picked crew for each event was evident by the quality of care he provided to all of the race teams. This high standard of sincere care for the teams created an opportunity for PTS around the country, as race teams and tracks began requesting PTS at their events. This broad span of geographic area for PTS led to DeWayne becoming friends with an enormous amount of race teams around the Midwest and beyond, including some prominent NASCAR and IHRA drag racing teams. DeWayne became well known as a short track legend and kept the status to this day.

As committed as DeWayne was to his career and his racing craft, his commitment to his immediate and extended family far exceeded all of his other endeavors. Despite his strong career and busy schedule of racing, DeWayne ALWAYS made time for every sporting event and major event for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and more, teaching life lessons to all he came in contact with along the way. DeWayne cast a wide net of influence on an enormous amount of family that will span many generations to come. His love for ice cream and sweet treats spans 3 generations forward. Just by asking “where’s my ice cream” made all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren light up with joy. Holiday traditions were huge for DeWayne and were made mandatory by him to be maintained by all, bringing out the rare soft side of him.

DeWayne was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Sherrill Kay (Gunder) Dimit in 2006, and his son, Bryan K. Dimit. Surviving are his brother, Charles (Lynne) Dimit of Roanoke; half-brothers, John (Angie) Dimit of Urbana, IL, Richard Dimit of Indianapolis; and half-sister, Nacy Anderson of Bloomington, IN. Also surviving are his children, Dianne V. (Roger) Axt of Monroeville, IN, Michael S. (Debra) Dimit of Fort Wayne, IN, and Angela K. (Glen) Smith of Angola, IN. His grandchildren, Brittani (Andy) Bodey, Ryan (Ashtin) Axt, Mathew (Jessica) Dimit, Molly (Evan) Slaughbaugh, Alec, Addison and Aiden Bayman. His great-grandchildren, Everett, Kenslee, Barrett, Oaklyn and Maryn. Also preceded in death by his grandsons, Jason and Adam Dimit; his great-granddaughter, Tatum Dimit; biological father, Henry Lee Wilburn; mother, Marie (Van Story) Dimit; and adoptive father, John H. Dimit.

A visitation for Joe will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. A Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 12:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Joe will be laid to rest at Covington Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations, if desired, can be made to any of the following: Midwest Modified Tour, American Cancer Society of Fort Wayne or Steuben County Cancer Society.

Gone but NEVER will be forgotten; touched by so many hearts.