Wayne J Sealy

Wayne J. Sealy passed away November 7, 2022 in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 74 years. He was born April 30,1948 in Dallas, Texas and was raised in southern California. Preceded in death by father Don L. Sealy, mother Virginia B. Sealy, and brother Don P. Sealy.

Wayne served eight years in the USAF, the last four at Offutt AFB as art editor of the Combat Crew magazine. Wayne was later employed as an advertising illustrator for the Richman Gordman stores. He entertained crowds by drawing cartoon portraits on an overhead projector at Adventureland Park in Altoona, Iowa several consecutive summers. Over the years he had many freelance jobs as a cartoon portrait artist at county fairs, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, post-proms. Wayne was one of the renowned artists for the Omaha Press Club.

The primary artistic goal Wayne wanted to accomplish in his very versatile life was to build the perfect Haunted Theatre....no, not a haunted house. Anybody could do that and haunted houses sprang up like weeds every October. Wayne's idea was to build a house with hundreds of creepy illusions, secret passages, ghoulish rooms and surprise slides! He wrote a fictional story of bloody murders committed in the 20s.

In the early 80s, Wayne discovered an old, rundown, three-story brick duplex that was up for sale. What happened next is beyond telling! He bought the house and went to work. Curious and talented friends began to join in. They added their creative labors to help design and build room after room of thrills and chills! That fictional story finally came to life and the house was named Mystery Manor!

Wayne was a man of stature at 6'2". Among the many costumes he owned and used was a Frankenstein costume that he designed. It included elevator shoes and a rubber mask. Then, at seven feet tall, he scared the bejeebers out of those who ran into him as he stepped out of the shadows!

So many stories. So many adventures. So much fun. Wayne and his crew of monsters entertained fans for nearly 40 years. Thank you, Wayne, for being the inspiration for this legendary haunted theatre in the city of Omaha. Forty years and counting!!!

Wayne is survived by sons Matt, Mark and Rocky Sealy; granddaughters Morgan, Keira and Paiten Sealy and their mother Stacey Miller; sister and brother-in-law Ginny and Fred Fate; nieces Kimi Fate Gros and Megan Fate Marshman and their families; sister-in-law Tad Sealy-Edwards, nephews Gary and Mike Sealy and their families; former wife Susan Sealy and indispensable sister-in-law Mary Birkel; brothers-in-law Jim Birkel and wife Nancy and Jeff Birkel; plus a host of talented and devoted friends.




VISITATION Tuesday, November 15, from 5-8pm with CELEBRATION OF LIFE beginning at 6:30pm at Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 4712 So 82nd Street, Omaha, NE.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE WITH MILITARY HONORS Wednesday, November 16, at 11:00am at the Omaha National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed by the family.