Dr. Wayne Lee Premo was born on January 26, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, the only child of George and Nanna Premo. Shortly after his birth, Wayne's family relocated to Barrington, Illinois, where he spent his childhood. He fondly remembered his school days in Barrington, where he developed lasting friendships and a passion for basketball, a sport he continued playing well into his sixties. Throughout his life, Wayne eagerly attended Barrington High School reunions, maintaining close ties with his graduating class of 1955.

Wayne cherished his summers at his parents' cabin on Gibson Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, fostering a lifelong love for nature and the outdoors. Wayne's affection for nature also extended to animals; he often recounted stories about his childhood dog, Buster, his favorite Christmas present.

Following his graduation from Barrington High, Wayne pursued his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, an institution he deeply cherished. He furthered his education at Northwestern Dental School in Chicago, Illinois, where he met his future wife, Carol Ross, a nursing student. Wayne often spoke about meeting Carol during her first week at Northwestern University's Chicago campus, and in his own words, said that he "saw a beautiful lady walking across the dance floor. For me, it was love at first sight." Wayne and Carol married on June 24, 1961, in Chicago, a union blessed by Carol's father, Ivan Ross.

After completing dental school, Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was eventually stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, where he and Carol spent two years together.

In July 1964, while expecting their first child, Wayne and Carol moved to Fremont, Michigan, where they purchased a dental practice. Soon after, their family grew with the birth of their sons, David on September 23, 1964, and Steven on July 17, 1966. Wayne worked as a dentist at his practice for over 35 years. He maintained his passion for dentistry even into retirement, keeping his license active for some time.

Wayne's passions extended beyond dentistry to photography and exploring the outdoors. In the 1990s, Wayne and Carol fulfilled a dream by constructing a log cabin on Gibson Lake, a place dear to Wayne's heart and close to many of his relatives. While in the upper peninsula, he dedicated much of his time to hiking and photographing waterfalls, documenting a remarkable 365 falls. Wayne enjoyed sharing slideshows with friends and family and generously donated photos to Fremont Library.

Wayne adored his grandchildren, Alex Premo (born October 12, 1997), and Morgan Premo (born February 3, 2000), and cherished every moment spent with them. Holidays and family gatherings were often highlights of his year. He especially loved the tradition of gathering for a Christmas Eve Swedish meatball meal, often retelling the humorous story of how his mother Nanna tricked him into trying them for the first time.

He is survived by his sons, David and Steve, and his grandchildren, Alex and Morgan.

Wayne Premo's legacy of love for family, dedication to his profession, and passion for nature will forever be remembered by all who knew him. His contributions to his community and his unwavering love for his family leave a lasting mark on those whose lives he touched.

VISITATION : Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 10-11am at the Fremont United Methodist Church 351 Butterfield Fremont MI 49412 with MILITARY HONORS at 11am and MEMORIAL SERVICES immediately following at the church.   Livestream options will be available for viewing the Memorial Services at the following YouTube link - http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vN7LgPpfiOs5MG4gPhYog/live

A time of luncheon and fellowship with the family will take place immediately following the memorial services.  INTERMENT : Maple Grove Cemetery in Fremont.  Friends may consider memorial contributions to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (Donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation www.michaeljfox.org in memory of Wayne.   Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Premo family online at www.crandellfh.com.  Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel.  231-924-0800