Wayne Sealy

Wayne Jim 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. Wayne's idea was to build a house with hundreds of creepy illusions, secret passages, ghoulish rooms and surprise slides. In the early 1980s, Wayne discovered an old, rundown, three-story brick duplex that was up for sale. He bought the house at 716 North 18th St. 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, which finally came to life - 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 those who ran into him as he stepped out of the shadows! Wayne and his crew of monsters entertained fans for nearly 40 years at Wayne's Mystery Manor, Omaha's Haunted Theatre Legend.