The Asia-Pacific Region joins in mourning with missionary Mitch Modine, whose father Wayne passed away on January 4^th. He was 75 years old.

Wayne Modine was born October 12, 1944, to Nels Sr. and Ruby Modine, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After moving to Walla Walla, Washington, the family would remain there for many years. Wayne graduated from Washington High School in 1962 and attended Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri.

Wayne served in the US Peace Corps, in addition to serving in the US Military in Vietnam. After his military service, he moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree at Idaho State University. During his time there he met Marilyn Wiklund, and the two were married on June 13, 1969.

The couple moved to Libby, Montana, where they had their first child, Mikel. After moving to Fort Worth, Texas, they had Mitchel, their second son. They also lived for a time in Scotland and Sweden, before settling in Parma, Idaho.

Wayne worked as an accountant, and was a member of The Gideons International, eventually serving as the President of the Idaho/Utah regional area. Eventually, Wayne and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he joined the Gideons headquarters staff.

Eventually, Wayne and Marilyn retired to Lafayette, Tennessee. Their son Mikel graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and married Lisa. Mitch received his Ph.D. in Old Testament in 2006, and currently is a professor at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, marrying Marnie in 2009. In 2019 Wayne was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and he went to be with the Lord in 2020.

We ask for prayer for the Modine family in this time of grief.