February 2023

Wayne John Reif, beloved community figure, family-man and friend, passed away on the winter solstice, December 21, 2022 in Newton, Kansas at the age of 83. Born in Hesston, Kansas on January 6, 1939, to Theodore and Anna (Lee) Reif, Wayne is survived by 3 children from his 1st marriage; Tracey Carrier, Shelly Reif and Christina Goold, grandchildren Sarah and Cameron Carrier. Second wife Peggy Reif, stepchildren Kari and Doug Sebastian, step-grandchildren Kami Burgess and Kaci Smalley and seven beloved step-great-granddaughters. Wayne also embraced lifelong family friend Harlan Schmidt as a son. Wayne was preceded in death by parents Ted and Anna Reif, siblings Gail Reif and Donna Coughlin and first wife Sharon Reif. Wayne graduated Newton High and soon after the Kansas School of Barbering. He opened Hesston, and Moundridge Barber Shops with the intention of funding art school in Kansas City, for which he’d received a scholarship. In the mid-70’s, he expanded the Hesston shop to a co-ed salon and renamed it “Hair Cutting Company.” In 1981 he opened “Hair Cutting Company” on Main Street, Newton, where he served a large and loyal community for decades. His salon career spanned over 60 years, during which he also served as inspector for the Kansas Board of Barbering. Many of his adult clients tell the story of getting their first haircut from Wayne. In 2009, he sold the shop to his top stylist Shannon Reinert, but kept working another ten years. He reluctantly retired at 80. Born on a farm in Hesston, he was named by his brother Gail, an avid fan of John Wayne. In his youth, he worked on his parents’ farm and traveled by horse to attend a one room rural schoolhouse. In later years he was locally known for his mischievous antics and fun-loving pranks. He went on to travel the globe, exploring dozens of countries over many decades. He embraced people of every age, ethnicity, and social status both globally and locally, declaring that “Wherever you go, peop