Wayne Nellis Tripp was freed from this earthly body and with joy entered the arms of Jesus Christ on the evening of Dec. 22, 2024, at the age of 94.
Wayne was born to Clifford and Hilda (Nellis) Tripp on Dec. 18, 1930, in Wayne’s grandparents' house near Kingsbury, NY, at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.
Jesus Christ pursued Wayne's heart at a very young age. Wayne's heart listened upon hearing the song "I Will Make You Fishers of Men." His soul became passionate about pursuing the Lord's direction for his life.
He graduated from Averill Park Central High School in New York in 1948 and graduated from Hope College in Holland, MI, on June 9, 1952. On that same June day, he married Dona Priest, his lifelong love and partner in ministry for 62 years.
At one time, Wayne was interested in becoming a meteorologist. He found nature and weather of all kinds inspiring—sunrises, sunsets, the moon, and clouds. Everything outside interested him. But what interested him even more was the weather in people's hearts. He, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, became passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He decided to track eternal souls instead of tracking weather patterns. He called it "Spiritual Fun."
His athletic abilities extended to any sport. He played many sports in high school and ran cross-country at Hope College. He loved being active—running, table tennis, biking, racquetball, handball, and basketball. Still, at 92 he relished riding his recumbent, three-wheeler bike. Because of Wayne's intense interest in running, he and a good team of people organized the Holland Fest Run, which continues annually to this day in Cedar Grove, WI.
He called all that the Lord allowed him to do "Amazing Grace." He always gave the Lord the glory and honor for everything. Wayne carried with him the "attitude of gratitude," always "counting his blessings." Every health issue he would say was a "new challenge.”
After graduating in 1955 from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI, Wayne pastored four churches. The first was Calvary Reformed Church in Mattawan, MI, where Wayne and Dona were blessed with two children: Vicki and Timothy. They opened their home to a number of foster children; two of them, Robert Kinney and Ethel Beeke Mack, kept in contact over many years. Wayne then pastored Sandham Memorial Reformed Church in Monroe, SD, (now called Calvary Reformed Church). The next church was First Reformed Church of Sully, followed by First Reformed Church of Cedar Grove, WI. Throughout his 41 years of serving as pastor, Wayne was called an Energizer bunny—always on the go and tirelessly serving Jesus Christ.
In Wayne's retirement years, he served as a calling pastor for First Reformed Church of Oostburg, WI, and later became their supported local missionary. He also started a prison ministry. Wayne received calls from inmates and ministered to them with his listening ear and prayed with them. He also provided Bibles to them upon their request. Up until age 89, he traveled to visit inmates throughout the state of Wisconsin. Wayne also assisted with the Mineral Street Ministry in Milwaukee, WI, talking and praying with the people they served.
As a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, Wayne is now absent from his body and in the Lord's presence for all eternity.
Wayne is survived by his daughter, Vicki (Jim) Ebbers of Cedar Grove, WI; his son, Tim (Kathy Jaarsma) Tripp of Pella; eight grandchildren: Courtney (Trevor), Dana (A.J.), Bradley, Leah (James), Adam; and Aemelia (Jesse), Bailey (Jaclyn), Naomi (Peter); great-grandchildren: Ava, Hazel, Skylin, Elias, and Brooklyn; and three nieces: Mary, Linda, and Toni.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dona, brother-in-law Melvin (Elaine) Priest, and dear foster children, Ethel (Stan) Mack, and Robert Kinney.
A funeral service was held 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 30, at First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove, WI, with B.J. Hilbelink presiding. Wayne was laid to rest next to his wife Dona at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Memorial gifts and contributions can be made in his honor to Good News Global Sheboygan Chapter, formerly known as Good News Jail and Prison Ministry and Samaritan's Hand of Sheboygan, WI.
