Rev. Wayne Eddie Foote

Rev. Wayne E. Foote passed from life unto life on December 13, 2022, at the age of 91.

Wayne Eddie Foote was born in Eaton Rapids, MI on April 20, 1931, and was raised there. When he was 14 years old, on March 18, 1946, he understood that Jesus died on a cross to save him from his sin, he accepted that free gift and prayed to receive Christ as his Savior and Lord and was reborn as a child of God on that day. He has spent the rest of his life sharing the Good News of Jesus’ love.

At the age of 15, he met the love of his life, Margot Ralston (13), who was a student in his mother’s Sunday school class. After high school graduation, Wayne and Margot attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. Wayne graduated on July 31, 1952, and Margot and he were married two days later, on August 2.

After their honeymoon at Thunder Lake, where Wayne’s family had vacationed since he was eight years old, they moved to St. Ignace to begin their lifelong work at Hiawatha Baptist Mission Church, which later became Glen Memorial Baptist Church (GMBC). The original church was a little log cabin in Evergreen Shores, and in October of 1953, construction began on the church building that stands to this day on Truckey Street. Much of the construction was done by Wayne’s own hands, men of the church and men who came to town to build the Mackinac Bridge.

Wayne also worked for 33 years as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office. He knew practically everyone in St. Ignace and was often found singing his way through town. He loved St. Ignace with all his heart and was the biggest fan of all things St. Ignace Saints, especially basketball and football! He was even honored with the title of Honorary Captain of the girls’ basketball team.

Wayne served as pastor of GMBC for 29 years and retired in 1981. Sadly, Margot suffered from early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, and Wayne spent the next 20 years caring for her. When the disease progressed to the point where Margot was admitted to Mackinac Straits Long Term Care, Wayne lovingly visited her every day to feed her lunch and dinner. He told her until her dying day how beautiful she was, how soft her skin was and how much he loved her blue eyes. It has been said that the best sermon he ever preached was his loving care for Margot: feeding her day after day, caressing her cheek, and kissing her tenderly.

He is survived by his five daughters, Judy (Merv) Wyse, Janet (Steve) Peterson, Jeanne (Rick) Litzner, Jacque (Dick) Ward, and Jessica (David) Davis; 20 grandchildren and their spouses; 26 great-grandchildren and two on the way; as well as Margot’s sister, Nancy Livingston, of Sheridan, WY; three nieces and three nephews.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM and Thursday, December 22, 2022, from 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM at the Glen Memorial Baptist Church, 219 Truckey Street, St. Ignace, MI. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions can be made to the GMBC new church building fund.

Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in the Spring 2023.

The Lord said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23(a)

Galer Dodson Funeral Home & Cremation in St. Ignace, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.