James Payne

MARION - James M. Payne, 89, formerly of Effingham, passed away at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, in Parkway Manor in Marion.

Jim was born March 26, 1921, near Allendale, the son of John McFarland "Mack" and Mary Alice (Crewell) Payne.

He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Allendale High School in 1938 and from Lockyears Business College in Evansville, Ind., in 1939.

He was united in marriage to Lois May Wittenbraker on Oct. 5, 1941, in Darmstadt, Ind., and together they shared more than 58 years of marriage before her death Feb. 23, 2000. He later was united in marriage to Leona M. Hudson on March 25, 2001, in Effingham, and together they shared nearly four years of marriage before her death March 9, 2005.

Jim answered the call of this nation by serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served with the 885th Signal Corp, being attached to the Air Force, and was stationed in Burma, China and India. He drove a truck with a convoy over the Burma Road to his station in Kumming, China, where he served as an airborne radar repairman.

In 1946, following his military service, he returned to Evansville, Ind., and was employed as a salesman by Kraft Foods Inc., delivering merchandise throughout Kentucky, southern Indiana and Southern Illinois. In 1957, he transferred to the St. Louis District with the company and moved his family to Effingham. Throughout the years, he won many awards with the company and, after 37 years, he retired in July 1983.

For many years, he was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham. After his move to Marion in 2005, he became a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Marion.

Some of his other memberships included the Effingham American Legion Post 120, Effingham Masonic Lodge 149 AF&AM, Sullivan Chapter 128 Knight Templar, Ainad Shrine Temple of East St. Louis, Eastern Star and Effingham Heart Shrine Club. And, he was active for many years in the Effingham County and Illinois State Genealogical Society.

He loved his family and many friends and always kept in contact with them through the use of his computer and cell phone. His memory will be cherished, and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jim is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Steven Unger of Rockville, Md., and Gwendolyn and Dr. Walter Weaver III of Idaho Falls, Idaho; son and daughter-in-law, John A. and Tammy Payne of Marion; seven grandchildren, Daniel Unger and wife, Kim, Katherine Baillie and husband, Brian, Abigail Weaver, Brooke Barlow, Alex Payne and wife, Ana, Andrew Payne and Allison Zeigler and husband, John; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other extended family members; and many friends.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, in Johnson Funeral Home, 201 S. Fourth St., in Effingham, with the Rev. Ken Burgard presiding. Interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham, with military rites accorded by American Legion Post 120 and VFW Post 1769 of Effingham.

Local visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., in Marion. Visitation in Effingham will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson Funeral Home, followed by Masonic rites conducted by Effingham Masonic Lodge 149 AF&AM.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Shiners Children's Hospital. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, or may be mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.

To leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com.