Black River, Humboldt- Wayne M. Prusi, 78, longtime area resident, passed away on Tuesday May 16, 2023 at his home while in the loving care of his family, and UP Home Health and Hospice.

Wayne was born in Black River on June 2, 1944, son of the late Waino O. and Julia (Hintsala) Prusi. He attended Republic Central High School graduating in 1962 with the last class before the schools merged to become Republic-Michigamme. Following graduation Wayne spent two years as a millwright apprentice, with one year at the Allied Institute of Technology for Tool and Die design in Chicago. In 1965 he returned back to the UP where he attended Northern Michigan University and met his wife-to-be, Elaine, until he was drafted into the Army in 1966. Wayne served in the Army from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1968. That year, he returned to NMU where he completed his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology in 1970, and his Master's in secondary education in 1972. Wayne was proud that he was able to complete his education using all of his G.I. Bill with only one month to spare. He married Elaine on November 30, 1968 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.

Wayne enjoyed his career in the construction industry. He began as a field engineer, and worked his way up to managing large sites for a variety of heavy construction projects. Wayne worked as a contractor for several construction projects at UP mines in the 1970s, and eventually worked for Blount Brothers Corp. as a construction manager building the Quinnesec Paper Mill from 1980 until 1986. He worked on construction projects for companies as varied as Kaiser Engineers, Bechtel Power Corp., Rust Engineering, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corp., IBM, and the US Dept. of Energy at the Sandia National Laboratory. Wayne concluded his working career as the owner-operator of Bruce Consulting Services, Inc. as a subcontractor for the state of Wisconsin from 1995 until 2000, working on projects in Green Bay, Oshkosh, LaCrosse, Tomah, Madison, and Plattville.

Wayne was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic since 1981, spent 30 years in the Republic Lions Club starting in 1969, and was a member of the American Legion Post #114 for 35 years. He enjoyed hunting, was an excellent woodworker and carpenter, and an avid cook. He loved to travel with his wife, and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 54 years- Elaine (Wakkuri) Prusi, two children- Joel Prusi, Ashley McCracken, sister- Nancy Forsberg, three grandchildren- Madison, Carter, and Leah McCracken, great granddaughter- Olive Kramer-McCracken, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings- Lorraine Elliott, Marlene Russo, William Prusi, and Ward Prusi, nephew- David, and nieces- Kelly and Sandra.

Wayne's family will greet relatives and friends on Monday May 22, 2023 from 11:00am until 12:00pm at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic. Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm with Rev. Alex Ross officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee on Tuesday, May 23 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Bethany Lutheran Church, 110 Poplar St. Republic, MI 49879.

Wayne's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.