Warren Grillet

Warren Wayne Grillet, 83, passed away Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, from an extended illness. He was comforted by his loved ones in his final hours. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Visitation with the family present will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. and a rosary at 7:30 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Wayne was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Sioux City, one of 13 children born to Philip Ellery and Emma (Mitchell) Grillet. Wayne attended Trinity High School. Wayne married Mary "Nonie" Heimbecker on July 9, 1949, in Sioux City. They raised six children. In his early years, Wayne developed a love for dancing and carried that love with him throughout his life. He worked as a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Sioux City. In the 1950s, he was a promotional representative for Pepsi Cola Co., and hosted a Pepsi-sponsored Sioux City television show, "Toast of the Teens." During this time, he also worked on the family farm, where he and Nonie raised their family. Wayne had a love of music and passed that onto his sons while promoting and managing their rock band, The Jesters, during the 1960s. In 1970, he and Nonie were blessed with an opportunity to own and operate their own business. With the help of family and friends, they opened their first of many businesses in Sioux City, the Runway Nite Club, which they operated for 15 years. Wayne enjoyed traveling with his wife, Nonie. He was a member of Tyrian Lodge, Abu Bekr Shrine and Sioux City Chamber of Commerce. In his final years, he had great pleasure working at the Sioux City Explorers Baseball Stadium as a greeter and ticket taker. Wayne was a generous supporter of many charities. Survivors include his children, Diana Howard of Phoenixville, Pa., Jeffery Grillet (life partner Theresa) of Sioux City, Sandy (Shirley) Grillet of West Des Moines, Iowa, Nancy (Darrell) Speichinger of Bailey, Colo., Phillip Grillet of Sioux City, and Michelle (Dino) DeGiorgio of Notus, Idaho; 19 grandchildren, Ginger, Chris, Bart, Jamie, Nonie, Melissa, Angel, Brandy, Melanie, Ben, Casey, Nick, Mandy, Jake, Mike, Jeremy, Jeffery, Andria and Nick; 21 great-grandchildren; a brother, Hank "Henry;" four sisters, Yvette, Zona, Mary and Virginia; his dear friend and companion, Farris Conrad and her sons, Doug, Randy, Rick, David and families. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Nonie; his parents; three brothers, Philip, Vernon and Earl; and four sisters, Darlene, Audrey, Patricia and Barbara. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Wayne and Nonie may be made to Jackson Recovery Center in Sioux City. Memorial may be sent to Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, 3220 Stone Park Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104, or Jackson Recovery Center, 800 Fifth St., Sioux City, IA 51101