Eldon R. Payne

Eldon Ray Payne, 87, of Lincoln, entered into eternal rest on March 8, 2024, at Tabitha’s Good House Residence. He was born Sept. 8, 1936, in Callaway, Nebraska to Ellsworth and Blanch (Martin) Payne. In 1955, Eldon was the lone graduate of Odessa High School, just west of Kearney. (He would often joke that he was class president, valedictorian and prom king.) Two years later, Eldon entered the U.S. Air Force. He served 20 years, including 4 years in Germany, and 1 year in Vietnam. His area of expertise, ground-to-air radar maintenance, took him to assignments in South Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, California, and Offutt Air Base in Omaha. In 1960, he married Margit Teltscher in Hof, West Germany. Together they brought three children into the world, and traveled throughout the United States as Eldon served his county.

In 1977, after retiring from the Air Force, Eldon began his second career, at Square D/Schneider Electric. A proud union man, Eldon called Square D home for the next 22 years.

After his retirement, he and Margit spent lots of time traveling, and especially enjoyed going back to Germany. There was nothing Eldon loved more than watching his grandchildren shine at sporting events and school functions. He was a Cornhusker fan his whole life, and on Sundays he rooted for the Packers and the Chiefs. Best of all, he liked quiet summer afternoons, when he could sit in front of the TV and watch his New York Yankees. Eldon was a proud member of American Legion Post 342, VFW Post 3606, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7, and the Hof Germany Reunion Association.

Eldon is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margit Payne of Lincoln; children, Virginia Schweitzer (Chuck) of Lincoln, and John Payne (Danielle Hampton), of New Jersey; grandchildren, Sydney Schweitzer (Reece Dodds), Cody Schweitzer (Morgan McKinsey) both of Lincoln, Eldon H. Payne of New Jersey, Justin Schweitzer (Alicia) of Valparaiso, Amy Habener (Drew); great grandkids, Dylan, Christian and Gianna Schweitzer, and Madison and Emily Habener. Eldon is also survived by brothers William Payne (Edith), of St. Paul, Nebraska, and Clayton Payne (Jackie) of Kansas City.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth and Blanch Payne; his son, Michael; brothers Robert, Arthur and Vernon; and sister Dorothy Zacherias.

Not goodbye, just gone before.

Memorials to the family.

Services 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 14, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 So. 14th St. with Visitation on Wednesday, March 13, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. www.lincolnfh.com

Interment with Military Honors at Yankee Hill Cemetery.