R. Wayne Strickland, 96, of Franklin, IN and formerly of Nineveh, IN passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Franklin Meadows.

He was born August 6, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ballard Chester Strickland and Nell Meredith (Ooley) Strickland.

After graduating high school, he enlisted into the United States Navy having served on the USS Atlas. He was honorably discharged on July 25, 1946 with the rank of Seaman First Class.

Wayne had served as the athletic director for the Pendennis Club in Louisville, KY for over thirty years.

He had a passion for traveling all over the world.  He was an avid scuba diver and skydiver, loved music and dancing.  He also participated in rock climbing.

Survivors include his daughter Lydia Michelle Haynes (Jeff) of Nineveh, IN, three grandsons Matthew Roehrig (Tabitha), Michael Ostermeier (Celeste) and Mark Ostermeier, two great grandchildren Levi Roehrig and Emmett Roehrig, two sisters JoAnn Strickland of Birmingham, Alabama and Dr. Whitney Mandel of Orange County, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers infant Kenneth Lee Strickland and Gordon Lee Strickland, three sisters Dolores Clifford, Kay Carol Wu and Dorothy Ann Strickland.

Per his request, services are private.

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516 Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.