Wayne DeMaar

September 27, 1943 - March 26, 2026

Wayne DeMaar, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, coach, educator, and lifelong White Sox fan, passed away peacefully with the first White Sox game of the 2026 season on the television — fittingly wearing his White Sox t-shirt. He was 82 years old. Wayne was born on September 27, 1943, in DeKalb, Illinois, to Maude and Herman DeMaar, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Curtis Lee DeMaar. Wayne grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, and graduated from Wheaton High School. Even as a young boy, he knew exactly what he wanted from life — to get married, have a family, and be a head baseball coach. He would go on to accomplish each one of those dreams. While earning his degree in Education from Illinois State University, Wayne met the love of his life, Norma Siegrist. The two married and shared 59 wonderful years together. He later earned his master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northern Illinois University. Wayne devoted his entire professional life to Unit School District 303, where he impacted generations of students and athletes. Over the years, he taught Geography and Physical Education, served as a High School Guidance Counselor, and excelled as both assistant football coach and head baseball coach at St. Charles High School for more than 25 years. Even after retiring as Athletic Director, Wayne wasn’t ready to hang up his coaching cap — he returned to the field to coach freshman baseball at St. Charles North High School until a stroke in 2016. His dedication to the game and his students earned him lasting recognition, including induction into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) Hall of Fame and the St. Charles Hall of Fame/Jody Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award. Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Norma DeMaar; their children, Fonda DeMaar (Darby Nafziger) and Lance DeMaar (Julie DeMaar); and four adored grandchildren — Skylar and Storie Nafziger, and Meg (DeMaar) Tjaden and Drake DeMaar. Wayne will be remembered for his warm smile, humor, steady guidance, and unwavering love of family, baseball, and his community. A Celebration of Life will be held in July at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd, St. Charles, IL 60175. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.Guest BookShareEmailPrint