Curtis L. Payton

Curtis Lawrence Payton, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 25th, 2026.

He was born in Stinesville, Indiana on August 10th, 1929 to Herb and Mary Payton. After graduating High School in 1948, Curtis enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War. He trained at Ft. Knox and served his country as an M24 and M26 Sherman tank mechanic in Germany for nearly 4 years. He came home, got married, started a family and worked for Western Electric. Curtis was a long time member of the Stinesville Church of the Nazarene and was happiest serving anyone who needed help with home projects and odd jobs. There wasn't much that Curtis couldn't do.

Being a lover of nature, Curtis enjoyed hunting, fishing, competitive horseshoe pitching (winning the Indiana state title in the senior division at age 81), corn hole with the family and even, at the age of 88, rafting on the Mississippi River with his son, Berry.

Most inspiring to his family was his great willingness to be "The Dad that Didn't Have to Be" by loving and embracing his two adopted children, his biological children, four step children and anyone who needed a "home" for a time. He made difficult situations easier to endure and sought the brighter side of life.

He had a whip smart mind and a tremendous memory, often reciting poetry he had learned during his childhood as well as poems and songs he authored himself. His loved ones will fondly remember him reciting the entire second Chapter of Luke from the Bible telling of the Christmas story every year, before anyone ever opened a present. He had a firm founded faith in God and set the greatest example as a wise Christian man.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 52 years, Judy, and his children Bob Payton (Gail), Danny Payton, Beth Petry (Kurt), Laura Shipley (Melvin), Kelly Faust (Dennis), and Faye Ferguson (Rick). Missing their fun loving grandpa are his grandchildren Michele LeMay (Scott), Lisa Smith (Stacey), Jason Payton (Ellen), Ryan Payton, Dawn Payton, Megan Payton, Curtis Payton (Kaitlyn), Amanda Graham , Megan Payton, Samantha Fullen (Michael), Joseph Payton, Jessie Fogle (Chris), Nadia Goldman (Zach), Dustin McConnell (Emily), Emily Davis (Onye), Tessa McConnell (Luma), Sam Faust, Grady Ferguson, Julie Darling (Joe), Logan Ferguson (Morgan) and 47 great grandchildren.

His family trusts that he is enjoying a joyful reunion with his deceased daughter, Kathy, son-in-law Bernie, son Berry (Ann); and daughter-in-law Tina (Danny).

A visitation and funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 4th at the Stinesville Nazarene Church, 7835 W. Main Street, Stinesville, IN 47464. Visitation is 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The service begins at 1:00 p.m. Inurnment will be held after the service at Gosport Cemetery. Chandler Funeral Home in Ellettsville is assisting with the services.