Wayne M. Senesac , 82, formerly of Fowler, IN, passed away on July 2, 2020 in Lafayette, IN, after months of suffering from dementia. He was born in Lafayette, IN on September 21, 1937 to the late Polet Senesac and Agnes Muller Senesac Turley.
Wayne graduated from Fowler High School in 1957.
He married Benton County Fair Queen, Nycha Hay, in 1959.
Wayne grew up farming in rural Fowler where he quickly learned the definition of hard work. He applied this efficient hard work ethic throughout his entire life. Having an entrepreneur in spirit and mind, Wayne and high school buddy, Chal Miller, custom baled hay. He later worked for Nally Brothers of Fowler, painting tractors and farm equipment. Wayne left the farming industry and went on the road driving a semi truck.  He then joined Lafayette Venetian Blind and Awning Company where his entrepreneurialism and salesmanship was fostered even more.  This resulted in him spending many weekends with his close friend, Bill Anderson, installing aluminum awnings for homes and storefronts. In the early 70's, Wayne went to work for Aero Drapery Company as a wholesale sales representative.  While working for Aero Drapery, Wayne again used his entrepreneurial skills, along with his wife, Nycha, to establish their Draperies on Wheels business. Many of his Saturdays were spent working with any one of his four children, (he would always say they were his little helpers because they helped so little) in tow and installing customers' draperies and blinds.
Wayne's purchase of the Millburn Peat property in Otterbein IN, a 130 acre lake, commonly known as Otterbein Lake, was his labor of love, with every weekend and most evenings after work being spent working on improving the property.  There was always something to do, and with help from his brother-in-law, Dan Hay, and family members, it was never really considered as work according to Wayne.
In 1988, Wayne partnered with his sons to start Oxford House, a wholesale blind manufacturing company.  Again, applying his work ethic and engineering skills to build most of the equipment, (still used today) for the factory. The original location was in downtown Oxford, IN.  Once the company grew too large for Oxford, it moved to its current location in Fowler, IN, with 3 other locations; Boswell, IN, Melbourne, FL, and Las Vegas, NV. The business is employing 150+ people, while experiencing rewarding growth and success.  Wayne was awarded 2 patents from the United States patent office, from his design of Sheer Radiance, which were monumental in the growth of the company.
Wayne moved to Florida, and enjoyed living on a boat while managing the Florida factory- He would often joke, "If the neighborhood goes bad- "I'll move the boat"!  Wayne enjoyed his boating experience and on more than one occasion took his boat from Florida to Michigan.  He would share, "It is amazing how far you can go on 4000 gallons of diesel."
Wayne was preceded in death by brother Tom Senesac, sisters; Sue Goetz, Wanda Datzman (his twin sister) and Celeste Benner.
He is survived by his sons; Polet Senesac, (Patty), Price Senesac, (Reva), daughters; Polly Schwab, (Mark), and Penny Cooper, (Doug). He is survived by 10 grandchildren: Jonathan and Parker Senesac, Preston Senesac and James Camp, Isabelle and Gilbert Garrison, Austin and Andrew Paxton, and Mike and Jaide Cooper.
Wayne enjoyed good food, a good Martini, Purdue football and basketball. While residing in Florida, he met Donna Erickson, a wonderful woman he loved and shared his retirement years with in Satellite Beach, Florida.  We all love you!
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020, from 12 PM (noon) until 4 PM, at Oxford House 606 West State Road 18, Fowler, Indiana
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to Wayne Senesac Memorial Fund at Farmers & Merchants Bank, PO Box 519, Boswell, IN 47921, for future entrepreneur scholarship. Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, is assisting Wayne's Family. Visit Shoemaker Funeral Home- Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page or www.shoemakerfh.com to leave any condolences or to share a photo or memory of Wayne.