Reverend John Francis Payne
Reverend John Francis Payne, 92, of Ozark, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home on May 18, 2014, following a lengthy illness.
Rev. Payne was born in Millcreek, Illinois on December 27, 1921. He is survived by his children, Johnnie Louise Heuermann of Elkhart, Indiana, David K. Payne of Dothan, Alabama, and Mary E. Payne of Ozark, Alabama; his grandchildren, Kurt R. Heuermann (Dana) and Kellie R. Heuermann; and his great-grandchildren, Maxwell Payne Heuermann and Ruby Ann Heuermann; his brother, Edwin Payne; a number of nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Suzy Q. He is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Wood Payne, to whom he was married for sixty years; his parents, Jessie and Ruth Payne; and his brothers, Paul Payne, Frank Payne, and Jesse Payne, Jr.
Rev. Payne was a retired Master Sargent, a member of The Greatest Generation, having served in the United States Air Force for twenty-seven years during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. He retired from military service in 1968 to pursue fulltime ministry and attended the Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Florida. After being ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, Rev. Payne served as pastor in several area churches in the Wiregrass throughout the years.
The Payne family would like to give special thanks to Rev. Payne’s excellent caregivers who lovingly cared for him in his final days: Leola Newman, Sharon McLeod, Kristen Paschke, and Carol Dawkins. Thanks, also, to Community Hospice of Ozark for their professional and attentive care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, PO Box 2502, Ozark Al 36361, with a subject line, “In Memory of John F. Payne.”
Graveside services for Rev. Payne will be held on May 31, 2014 at 11:30AM at St. John’s Cemetery in Dongola, IL with Bro. Clint Nale officiating. Last rights with military honors by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 and the Illinois National Guard.
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