Mierlan Thomas Payne

Mierlan Thomas Payne

Mierlan Payne was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the first of ten children, to the late Mierlan and Thelma Payne on June 30, 1936. As a child, he helped his dad cut down trees and when he was old enough, he would haul off the trees. The family worked together in the garden every summer, which helped provide food for the family. His sister Barbara remembers they were each given a row to weed and after they finished their row, they had to help their brother Lanny because he played around too much. After graduating from high school in Perryville, Missouri, he went to work in St. Louis where he met the love of his life, Mary Louise Lyons, on a blind date. They were married three months later on August 16, 1958. Mierlan's draft papers arrived the day before they were married but his mother chose not to tell him about the draft papers until after the wedding. Mierlan began his career in the Army at the U.S. Army Training Center, Engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After basic training he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, accompanied by his new bride Louise, from January 1959 to January 1961. He served as an Army aviation communications specialist, maintaining and troubleshooting aircraft radio systems aboard Army helicopters. He received an honorable discharge on January 6, 1961, and entered the Army Reserve service from 1961-1964. He returned to O'Fallon, Missouri in 1961 and worked at McDonell Douglas Corporation as an Electronic Technician and worked on the electronic test benches for Skylab until he retired in 1991. During his time at McDonell Douglas Corporation he was temporarily transferred to Florida to assist with the U.S. space program.

Mierlan was a devoted husband, dad, and grandfather. He will always be remembered for his love for Christ and his passion for serving others. While living in O'Fallon, Missouri, Mierlan was an Elder, song leader, and Bible teacher, as well as worked with the teens during their 45+ years at the O'Fallon Church of Christ. He volunteered at the Hope Food Pantry. He and Louise were known for having multiple church members in their home for meals and fellowship. During this time, Mierlan and Louise were a strong Christian couple that served the Lord together at every opportunity. They volunteered at the Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis attending school events and trips. They also were involved with Camp Ne-O-Tez, a Christian camp in DeSoto, MO. They loved watching their kids and grandkids through the years sing in the chorus and compete in their athletic competitions. Mierlan and Louise decided to complete their lifelong dream of selling their possessions and becoming "Work Kampers" at Angel RV Park in Powderly, Texas. While in Texas, he was an active member at the Lamar Avenue Church of Christ in Paris, Texas. He volunteered at Lamar Avenue to help train the youth for the Leadership Training for Christ competition, was active in the Church Food Pantry, and helped prepare food for the Wednesday evening meals.

After being in Texas, Mierlan and Louise moved to Sikeston, Missouri to help care for Louise's aging mother. While in Sikeston, Mierlan was an active member at the Shady Acres Church of Christ and was a member of the Prayer Group. He worked at Hinton RV Park registering campers and was a certified propane dispenser. In 2019, Mierlan returned to Powderly, Texas with his wife and became an active member at the Westwood Church of Christ. He spent his days spoiling his wife and grandchildren. He was active with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at Paris Junior College and assisted the Downtown Food Pantry. He enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, Emergency and Perry Mason. He also enjoyed eating out at Burger King, Chick-fil-A and Roadhouse Family Diner.

Mierlan passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the age of 89. Those left to cherish his memory include his children Leann (Rodney) Jackson, Rita Pringle (fiancé David Castillo) and Leonard (Carla) Payne. Mierlan was blessed with loving grandchildren: Brandon (Kat) Jackson, Kristi (Elias) Roque, Garrett (Lindsey) Jackson, Jonathan Pringle, Trevor (Brittany) Pringle, Kaylynn (Brandon Halliday) Pringle, Kayla (Nick Buzzard) Payne, and Jared (Morgan) Payne, as well as ten great-grandchildren. He leaves behind five siblings: Barbara Mays, Woody (Pat) Payne, Mary Byrd, Patty (Bob) Bauman and Johnny (Carol) Payne, as well as many in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mierlan Payne was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Louise (Lyons) Payne, his parents, Mierlan & Thelma Payne, as well as his brothers, Lanny Payne, David Payne, Oliver (Skipper) Payne, his sister, Shirley Lievsay, and a grandson, Ryan Joseph Pringle. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th, 1:00 p.m. at the Westwood Church of Christ in Paris, Texas. Burial will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.