VERGENNES – Wayne Gene Alstat, 85, of Vergennes passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Wayne was born on February 22, 1934, in Ora Township, Jackson County to William and Verena (Sherrmann) Alstat. Wayne attended Creekpaum Grade School and Vergennes Community High School. Wayne was a U.S. Army Veteran, during the Korean Conflict. Wayne married Barbara H. Shields, on July 22, 1960 in Belleville, Illinois, and they shared 59 years of marriage. Wayne was Township Highway Commissioner of Ora Township from 1959 to 1981. In 1980 Wayne was elected to the 82 ^nd session of the House of Representatives. Wayne was nominated as a write in candidate, and was only the second write in candidate for this position in the history of Illinois to win this office. In 1983 a group of Vergennes area farmers and business owners opened a farm equipment dealership known as Vergennes Equipment. Wayne served as a board member until the dealership merged with H&R Agripower in 2008. Wayne had worked as a grain warehouse examiner for the Illinois Department of Agriculture after his time in the General Assembly. Wayne worked as Agricultural  manager for Illinois Department of Corrections until his retirement at the end of 1996. Wayne then returned to the family farm where he worked with his sons Bill and Alan. Wayne was a member of the Jackson County Farm Bureau since 1952, American Legion, Eagles, and the Elks, and he was of the Lutheran Faith.

Wayne is survived by his wife; Barbara H. Alstat, of Vergennes, children; Yvonne Murray of Ava, Alan Alstat, of Vergennes, Laurie Rendleman of Vergennes, 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 1 sister; Carolyn Liss, of Vernon, New Jersey.

Mr. Alstat was preceded in death by his parents, 1 son; William, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM, Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at the Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, with Minister Deb Rathert officiating, burial will follow at the Birkner Cemetery, Vergennes. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening at the funeral home where friends may call from 5 to 8 PM, and then on Wednesday from 7:30 AM until 1 PM. Memorials may be made to Birkner Cemetery, or Vergennes Alumni Association.