John Robert Payne, age 90, of Marion, Ohio and formerly of Whiting, New Jersey, died Thursday morning, April 28, 2011, at the Morrow County Hospital Extended Care Facility following an extended illness.
On November 17, 1920, John was born in Lakewood, New Jersey, the son of the late Oscar and Lillian (Chambers) Payne. He graduated from Lakewood High School.
Shortly following graduation, John enlisted to join the U.S. Army, a veteran of World War II who served for three years.
One night at a USO dance in New Jersey, John met a young lady who could keep up with him on the dance floor, Nellie Ann Watson. Soon thereafter they were married on February 16, 1947, and they shared nearly fifty-seven wonderful years of marriage together. She preceded him in death on February 13, 2004.
In the mid 1950’s, John started his own business, Payne’s Tree Service, in Whiting, New Jersey, doing tree removal and lawn maintenance. A hard working man of integrity, his name became one of the most “well known names in Whiting, NJ.” This quickly became a family affair, as all seven of his children also helped with the business one way or another. He was proud that his eldest son Alvin is still carrying on the family business today.
A man of God and faith, John was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 22,1953. He was initially a member of the Bayville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New Jersey, as well as The Browns Mills and Toms River Congregations. He has been a member of the Marion Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses since moving to Marion in 1991. In each congregation, he served as an elder and was very active, helping individuals personally and sharing his faith in the community.
John was noted for his many fine qualities perhaps most outstandingly was his generosity toward others. Also noteworthy, his prayers often included his hope for the future of living in paradise on earth.
A “man of many trades,” John was able to do just about anything with his hands that he set his mind to. He taught himself to be a skilled carpenter, building patios, garages, and even putting an addition on the back of his home.
With a love for the outdoors, John didn’t just care for the trees and lawns of others he also took pride in taking care of the landscaping at his own home too.
John may be best known for his smile! He was a “people person” who truly “loved people” and his smile was contagious bringing smiles to anyone who was around him. He also loved to tell a good joke. He was a man of strong will, doing whatever he set his mind to.
John will be dearly missed by his seven children: Delores Payne, Gwendolyn (Ron) White, both of Marion, OH, Alvin (Barbara) Payne of Browns Mills, NJ, John (Maria) Payne Jr. of Whiting, NJ, Reginald (Sherryl) Payne of Waterbury, CT, George (Andrea) Payne of Gahanna, OH and Eugene (Helen) Payne of Edgewater Park, NJ; eight grandchildren: Alex, Natalia, Tatiana, Cory (Jasmine), Juliana, Katie, Bryan and Ambria; a sister, Marian Humphries of Browns Mills, NJ; and a host of loving family and friends.
Including his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by a sister, Gloria Donaldson; three brothers: Oscar “Jr.”, Richard and Charles Payne; and by a special beloved uncle, Harry Payne.
Services honoring John’s life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2654 Harding Highway East Marion, with Frank Downing officiating. Friends will be received following the service at the Kingdom Hall. Burial will take place at a later date in Monmouth Memorial Park in Tinton Falls, NJ.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home of Marion is honored to have been chosen to serve John’s family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2654 Harding Highway East Marion, OH or to the Morrow County Hospital Extended Care Facility, 651 West Marion Rd, Mount Gilead, OH.
His family would like to express a heartfelt “Thank you” to everyone at the Morrow County Hospital Extended Care Facility for their wonderful care of John and Nellie since 2003.
For those wishing to express their private condolences to John’s family, they may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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