Leonard Wayne Middaugh

SCIO — On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, our family said a sudden and difficult goodbye to Wayne.

Born Feb. 15, 1962, in Belmont, to Ruth and Ralph Middaugh, Wayne lived a life with his family at its very heart.

He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather who lived simply for those he loved. While he was taken from us far too soon, the steady warmth and quiet strength he shared so freely will remain with us always.

Wayne was a man who brought his whole soul to everything he did. For 28 years, he worked as a welder at Air-Preheater in Wellsville, but to those who worked alongside him, he was so much more than a colleague. He didn’t just show up for a job; he showed up for the people.

His journey began in Belmont, where he attended school and spent his early years working side-by-side with his father, Ralph, and his brother, Steve. Those early days of family labor shaped the man he became — someone who deeply understood that the greatest gift you can give is simply being there for the people you love.

Wayne, above all, was a man of God. His deep faith and love for the Lord shone through in the way he lived his life always serving others and quietly putting their needs before his own. He was the person everyone could count on because his heart was rooted in his devotion. Wayne knew Jesus as his Savior, and there is a great peace in knowing he has been welcomed into His arms in heaven.

This gentle, steady generosity defined him. To his family, Wayne was everything. He was the steady heartbeat of the family; whether it was a helping hand with a project or a moment of quiet support, his presence alone was their greatest comfort.

Wayne was most at home under the open sky. He had a true passion for camping. Wayne found a special kind of happiness in the simplicity of nature and spending uninterrupted time with family and friends. Many of his most cherished memories were made camping locally in New York and at Sunset King Lake RV Resort, Fla., surrounded by the “lake family” he loved so dearly.

For Wayne, there was no better way to spend a day than in the beauty of the outdoors, sharing a laugh with the friends and family who meant the world to him.

Wayne had a rare gift for connection; to him, a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. He had a way of making people feel seen and welcomed that was uniquely his own. Above all else, Wayne’s greatest pride was his family. As a husband, father and grandfather, he gave them his absolute all, and the light of his love will stay with them forever.

Along with his loving wife Valerie, Wayne is survived by five children, Jason (Tiffany) Middaugh of Andover, Wayne (Kim) Middaugh Jr. of Friendship, Bryce Middaugh of Scio, Ryan (Megan)  Powers of Belfast and Duane (Sarah) Powers of Belfast; 10 grandchildren, Xaiden, Hailey, Marlaina, Paittain, Bryce, Kamryn, Rhys, Hannah, Jackson and Libby;  his sister, Lori (Bruce) Smith; along with many nieces and nephews, Steven (Joleen) Middaugh, Cassy (Kyle) Crowner, Robbie (Lauren) Smith and Conner (Jordan) Smith.

Wayne is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Middaugh (1937-2017); mother, Ruth Middaugh (1940-2024); brother, Steve Middaugh (1958 -2025); and first wife, Patricia Showers Middaugh (1963-2012).

Viewing and a brief memorial service will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. today (April 11, 2026) at Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Genesee Pkwy, Cuba.  Family and friends are invited to join Valerie at her home afterwards for a meal and celebration of Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, let’s honor Wayne by loving God and loving people.

Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com.