Leonadus Ephron
Greenville | Save
Leonadus Lamar Ephron, affectionately known as DeWayne Ephron, was born to Dorothy Ephron and Robert Lee Staples on March 31, 1968, in Washington County, Mississippi.
DeWayne spent his formative years in Leland, Mississippi, before moving with his family to Greenville, Illinois, in 1985.
DeWayne graduated from Greenville High School, where he was a standout basketball player. He attended Cincinnati Bible College after graduation. DeWayne was also a member of the Harlem All-Stars basketball team, a junior traveling team of the Harlem Globetrotters. Throughout his life, DeWayne worked in maintenance for the Bond County Unit 2 School District. He also spent time as a cable installer for Greene County Cable and served as a volunteer firefighter for Bond County. Later, DeWayne owned and operated Big D Drywall.
DeWayne loved a good fish fry and was a proud member of the Bluegill Gang. He also loved the Dallas Cowboys and an ice-cold beer. DeWayne was the life of the party at every event he attended and will forever be loved and missed by everyone who knew him.
He leaves behind his mother, Dorothy Ephron (Greenville); his daughters, Taylor Briones and Adrianna Ephron; and his son, Ty Ephron. DeWayne also leaves behind four grandchildren: Gabriel Briones, Mia Briones, Gabriella Briones, and Isaiah Briones.
DeWayne was also a member of an exclusive club known as the Big 10. They are not accepting any new members, and the club will forever be changed by his absence. This club is comprised of his brothers and sisters: Marvin Ephron (Zita) of Colorado Springs; Angela Ephron of Greenville; Aristede Ephron of Greenville; Drake Ephron of Palm Springs; Kevin Ephron of St. Louis; Yolanda Miller of Belleville; Shakenna Morris of Texas; LaShanda Laux (Kevin) of Florida; and Damion Morris of Greenville.
DeWayne also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews who believe their uncle was a real-life hero. They loved him dearly and will always cherish and retell stories of their favorite uncle.
Whether you knew him as Leonadus or DeWayne, he left a lasting impression on you. DeWayne’s laughter, jokes, and big personality will be missed by all who knew him.
Please continue to uplift his mother, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, his Big Cousins—John Edd, Velma Edd, Terry Smith and Clyde Edd along with his Uncles Perry Martin & Larry Staples and his Aunts Ruby Frye and Candy Martin—and his many friends.
We love you, Leonadus “DeWayne” Ephron, and the Big 10 will forever scream your name!
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Bibleway House of Prayer in Royal Lake (1858 US Rt. 40). Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be made to the family; donations may be made online under the tribute tab for DeWayne at www.donnellwiegand.com.
Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences, memories of DeWayne and pictures may be shared on his tribute page www.donnellwiegand.com.
Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home
