Memorial services for Mr. Arthur “Wayne” Ison, age 90, of Manchester, will be conducted Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Mark Catholic Church with Father Steven Klasek officiating.
The family will receive friends from 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel.
Mr. Ison passed away Saturday, August 9, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with his loving wife by his side.
He was born June 28, 1924 in Centerville, Michigan, the son of the late Arthur Ison and Ida Thompson lson. Wayne’s love of airplanes and flying began at the age of three. He built his first model airplane from sticks of wood. 73 years later, was inducted into the Experimental Aircraft Association Ultralight Hall of Fame in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who make significant contributions to technology, history or safety of ultralight fight. Wayne graduated from high school in Michigan, and began working at the Ford Plant; and soon after, joined the Air Force, known as the Army Air Corp. There he received hands-on experience with aircraft working as a radio operator on C-47 crews. While serving in the military, he engaged in glider towing and paratroop drops into Europe throughout World War II including D-Day. Following his discharge from the military, Wayne’s career lead him to Bendix Aircraft in South Bend, Indiana where he designed landing gear for military aircrafts and it was at this time that he received his pilot’s license. His interests were not limited to airplanes; Wayne also built and raced stock cars, go carts, and midget cars, and designed propeller-powered ice boats that converted to air boats in the summer. Wayne’s love for airplanes led him to design and build his first plane in Indiana in the 1960’s. Shortly thereafter, Wayne sold his business and he and his wife, Irene and family moved to their new home in Manchester in the 1970’s. Wayne designed many models of ultralight aircrafts. To this day, many of his designs are flown prominently all over the world. During the course of his life, Wayne touched many lives, professionally and personally, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, Steven Ison.
He is survived by his loving wife, Irene of Manchester; one daughter, Gina and husband, Ron “Bubba” Tinsley of Manchester; two step-sons, John and wife, Cathy Switalski of White Pigeon, Michigan and Mike and wife, Lisa Switalski of Mishawaka, Indiana; four sisters-in-law, Valentina “Val” Sobecki, Marie Gerencher, and twins, Jane Slock and Joan Trzybinski, all of South Bend, Indiana; one brother-in-law, Gene Trzybinski and wife, Carol of South Bend, Indiana; five grandchildren, Morgan, April and Jason, and Stacie and Kyle; six great-grandchildren, Bryce and Brayden, Ashton, Taylor, Chloe, and Jocelyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Potter’s Clay in care of St. Mark Catholic Church, 2941 McMinnville Hwy, Manchester, TN 37355 
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Mr. Arthur Wayne Ison.