"Softly falls the light of day,

As our campfires fade away.

Silently, each Scout should ask,

'Have I done my daily task?'

'Have I kept my honor bright?'

'Can I guiltless sleep tonight?'

'Have I done and have I dared

'Everything to Be Prepared?'"

B.S.A

Honored Scoutmaster Wayne Vernon Niccum, of Troop 744, LaSalle Council, Dunlap United Methodist Church, Elkhart, Indiana, passed away at Elkhart General Hospital on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 4:35 am following an extended illness. Wayne had been currently active within his Troop up until the time of his passing. He was 82. He was born in Elkhart on December 25, 1941 to the late George V. and Dortha V. (Gilbert) Niccum, who precede Wayne in death along with a stepson, Donovan Miller, and a great grandson, Charlie Landesman.

Surviving Wayne are his daughters Stacey (Mark) Bowman, Jayne (Steve) Holbert, Sheryl (Jacob) Stephenson and son Dwayne (Angelina) Niccum all of Elkhart; step-son David Snodgrass of Sturgis, Michigan and step-daughter Lydia Jones of Niles, Michigan; 6 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, his former wife and mother of his children Patricia "Trish" Bastine and a loving host of extended family, friends and members of the Scouting community.

Wayne's love and respect for nature, matched with his uncanny ability to mentor and direct area youth pretty much defined his character as a "lifelong" Scoutmaster. In a career spanning 30 years, Wayne spent the majority of his adult life actively engaged with the Boy Scouts of America, which is now known as "Scouts of America". He spent most of that career as Scoutmaster for Troop 1 located at Trinity United Methodist Church (now Trinity on Jackson), but later assisted with Troop 744 located at the Dunlap United Methodist Church, all in Elkhart, and all up until the time of his passing.

Enthusiastic, motivated, knowledgeable and, most of all, relatable, Wayne clearly and purposefully mentored generations of young boys down an adventurous path to manhood, learning how to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent along the way. His Scouts benefited from his enthusiasm, and all were better off for having done so. When you think about it, some will say Wayne has weathered 30 years of camp-outs, cold, campfire smoke, mud, mosquitos, living in tents, brutal hiking trails, and probably a ticked-off raccoon or two throughout the years. But others will say he also enjoyed 30 years of the camaraderie of good friends, the warmth of an afternoon sun on his face, the smell of hobo dinners on the campfire after an event filled day, beautiful rolling meadows, soaring birds, the ripple of canvas in an evening breeze, challenging journeys and picturesque vistas complete with grazing deer. In essence, he dedicated his life to ensuring that every young man had, within his own reach, the ability to become the best that he could be. He simply dealt in opportunity, growth and advancement, and reaped a bountiful harvest! Over the years, Wayne presided over 63 Eagle Scout Court of Honors, with his own grandson (Drew Niccum) being number 62.

Believe it or not, Wayne also had a life outside of the Boy Scouts. He was a lithographer for Lithotone of Elkhart for over 30 years and that fueled his interest in photography. He was also an avid fisherman, and in his younger days would take extended vacations to Minnesota on grand fishing expeditions. He was an eager, continuous student of psychology and its applications who also just happened to love long conversations with folks, so his kids always teased him that they all believed that Wayne had ulterior psychological motives built into his conversations.

He was also a staunch member of the NRA and actively supported his second amendment rights. He was an accomplished flutist and was a licensed pilot. He was considered a "hard-core" gardener and grew just about any vegetable that could be grown in this region. He had bumper crops of nearly everything every year, and he delighted in giving away his harvest to those in the neighborhood who could use the extra food. Finally, it should be noted that, for whatever reason, Wayne was drawn to the 139th Psalm, verses 13-16. These passages came up or were mentioned more than once in Wayne's vast notes and reminders to himself, so it is believed that these words had profound meaning within his life. You be the judge, as we share this passage in his honor and memory:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of Earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will host Wayne's homegoing services on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 1:00 pm, with a gathering of family and friends beginning at 12 noon. Eagle Scout Elijah Wiswell will deliver Wayne's eulogy and services will include combined Troop Honors rendered by the Indiana LaSalle Council Boy Scouts of America (Scouts of America). In accordance with Wayne's wishes, cremation has taken place and burial will follow his services in Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart. Memorial donations may be given in Wayne's honor to Scouts of America Troop # 744, c/o Dunlap United Methodist Church, 23674 US Hwy 33 E, Elkhart, IN 46517.

"May the Great Master of all Scouts be with us 'til we meet again."

Scouts of America Troop #744
23674 US Hwy 33 E, Elkhart IN 46517