Tommy R Payne

Tommy Ray “Tom” Payne, 79, of Evansville, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Indiana died December 7, 2013 at Deaconess Hospital. He was born June 7, 1934 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Ralph and Reba (Miles) Payne. A 1952 graduate of Bosse High School, Tom graduated from barber college in Jacksonville, Florida and began barbering with his brother-in-law in Evansville. He then owned and operated Payne’s Barber Shop in Mt. Vernon until he began working at Mead Johnson/Bristol Myers. He was employed there for 20 years until he took early retirement in 1993 at the age 59 1/2 to enjoy family, fishing, and Florida. Tommy was past President of Mt. Vernon Lions Club and a member for over 50 years. He especially enjoyed traveling to numerous Lions Club conventions. He was also past Patron of Sunbeam 1, O.E.S., member of Beulah Lodge No. 578, member of the American Legion Post in Mt. Vernon and a member of First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon. An avid fisherman, he enjoyed fishing with friends from his boat. He was also a longtime Green Bay Packers fan, and an ardent IU fan who enjoyed watching the Packers and the Hoosiers and cheering them on to victory. Tommy also took pleasure watching the birds that visited his backyard feeders. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Ann (Sumners) Payne; son, Brent (Lynn) Payne of Pekin, Indiana; daughter, Sherry (Jim) Wahnsiedler of Evansville; grandchildren Alex Payne, April Payne, Angel (Nathaniel) Nance, Melissa (Derek) Chaffin, J.T. Wahnsiedler and fiancé Megan Rice; six great-grandchildren Elijah, Malachi, Alaina, Annabelle, Lydia, and Silas; nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Donna Faye and Bill Conway. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Memorial Park Cemetery Heritage Chapel, Rev. Trey McClain officiating. Entombment will follow in Memorial Park Heritage Mausoleum. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Wednesday at the Heritage Chapel at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 107 Evansville or Posey County Relay for Life.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 107 Evansville or Posey County Relay for Life.

Alexander Memorial Park Burial Location: Heritage Chapel, Crypt 26D