Harold Chester Payne

Harold Chester Payne, age 84, passed away on October 4, 2021. He was born on November 14, 1936, in Greenville, Illinois, to Lloyd C. and Crena L. (Busby) Payne. Throughout his life, he lived in Greenville, Illinois, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Binghamton, New York, and spent his final years in Fort Myers, Florida.

Harold graduated from Greenville College and the University of Illinois earning bachelor's degrees in mathematics and industrial engineering. He had a passion for flying, earning his private pilot’s license at the age of 18, and enjoyed flying small aircraft, taking his family on trips from New York back to the midwest every summer. He worked for Collins Radio, Link Flight Simulators, and Universal Instruments and enjoyed anything related to aviation. Harold loved country music, played the guitar, and occasionally made pilgrimages to the Grand Ole Opry in his youth. Later he enjoyed travel, visiting all 50 states and 47 countries with his wife of 55 years.

Harold is survived by his wife, Marlene (Delphey) Payne; children, Tracy Payne Squyres (Jeff), Mark Payne (Valentina Bosco); grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kathryn Squyres; brother, Steven Payne (Etta); sister-in-law, Dolores Schmitt; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Elvin “Biz” Payne; and his brother-in-law, James “Ned” Schmitt.

Interment of ashes will be in St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Payne family.