Ivan L. Wayman

Ivan LeRoy Wayman, 91, of O'Neill, died Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 at Accura Care Center in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a prayer service.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 at Faith Community Church in O'Neill.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill with military rites provided by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Ivan was born Dec. 23, 1933 in the rural family home, northwest of O'Neill to Edwin and Ruby (Boldra) Wayman. He was greeted by an older brother Norman. Ivan attended District 8 rural school and graduated from O'Neill High School in 1951. 

In 1955, Ivan married Iona Ernst. They were blessed to celebrate 70 years together on June 17 of this year. They have two sons Irvan of Glenwood, Iowa, and Dean of O'Neill.

Ivan served in the U.S. Army from 1956 – 1958. He was stationed in the Washington DC area, with the engineering department, working with heavy equipment.  

Upon returning to O'Neill, Ivan worked with the Holt County Road Department and later at Jim's Feed & Seed. He worked with his brother in the trenching business, and then in 1972 he bought a grave digger and started digging graves. He retired from this business in 1999.  

He then went full-fledged into restoring John Deere tractors. One highlight was restoring his father's John Deere B and his father-in-law's John Deere B and passing them on to the next generation. He enjoyed being a part of a two-cylinder tractor club, showing tractors at parades and shows.

Ivan enjoyed being creative, making something out of nothing. His ideas were endless. He was also known for his quiet service to others, seeing a need and taking care of it without fanfare and applause. 

He served for many years and in many ways at his church Faith Community Church, and worked with the needs of Camp Witness in Long Pine.

Ivan is survived by the love of his life, his wife Iona (Onie) Wayman of O'Neill; two sons Irvan (Beverly) Wayman of Glenwood, Iowa, and Dean (Brenda) Wayman of O'Neill; eight grandchildren Angela Wayman, Benjamin (Lana) Wayman, Jennifer (Dustin) Nachtman, Luke (Catherine) Wayman, Eli Wayman, Seth (Johanna) Wayman, Abigail Wayman and Quintin (Katie)Wayman; and nine great-grandchildren Michael McAllister, Henry Wayman, Mollie Wayman, Parker Wayman, Emma Wayman, Claire Wayman, Isla Wayman, Harper Nachtman and Ryker Nachtman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Norman (Ruby) Wayman.