Wayne R. Kerchberger, 87, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Des Moines, died on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2006 in Cedar Rapids. Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Des Moines. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 3 to 7 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Care, Tonini Chapel, Des Moines.

Wayne was born November 3, 1919 in Des Moines to Rudolph and Irene (Loveless) Kerchberger. He graduated from Dowling High School in 1938. Following high school, he attended Capital City Community College and started working for the State of Iowa highway patrol office. In 1942 he began serving in the U.S. Army. He was involved in two invasions and seven campaigns in the European theatre during WWII. After 3 1/2 years of service, he returned to Des Moines and resumed working for the State of Iowa. On September 19, 1953, Wayne married Kathryn Mazzie at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Des Moines. In 1981, Wayne retired with 42 years of service with the State of Iowa. Wayne was a member of St. Anthony's Parish and a lifetime member of Bellizzi MacRae American Legion of Des Moines. Wayne enjoyed fishing and gardening.

He will be missed by his wife, Kathryn of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Mary Kay (David) Hardinger of Cedar Rapids; a son, Steven (Linda) Kerchberger of Rochester, MN; a sister, Mary Gary of Urbandale; a granddaughter, Christy (Donald) Agee; a grandson, Mark (Crystal) Hardinger; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Corinne Kerchberger.