(Veteran)

(Picture)

Ernest E. Payne, 85

Memorial services for Ernest E. Payne, 85 who died Tuesday, April 18, 2002, will be held at Mt. Moriah Terrace Park in Kansas City, Mo.

Ernest Elwood Payne was born Jan. 7, 1917, near McFall, Mo., to Darius and Nora Payne. The family moved to Nebraska in 1923.

He served with the Army from Jan. 7, 1942, until April 20, 1946, and was a lifetime member of the V.F.W.

On July 6, 1948, he married Mary Jane Merriman. He drove tractor-trailers for 30 years beginning in 1950, until his retirement in Blair in 1980.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Tom Anderson of Blair, Cindy and Kenny Dover of Bucyrus, Kan., and Vicki Rockford of Iatan, Mo.; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Don Robinson; and sister, Mary Ann Olson.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles and Carl Payne, sisters, Elsie Crom, Norma Jean Muhs, and Opal Crom; and son-in-law, Ben Rockford.

Memorials are suggested to the Burt County Museum or the Blair Rescue Squad.