James W. Payne

James W. Payne 91, of Elyria passed away at home on Thursday March 9, 2023 following a long illness. He was born May 27, 1931 in Elyria where he was a lifelong resident.  Jim was the Buildings and Grounds Superintendent for the Keystone School District and retired in 1998. He was a member of The Lorain County Sheriffs Auxiliary and served as a member of the Search and Rescue Team, he was also a certified NRA Firearms Instructor.  Jim was also a member of The LaGrange Police Department Auxiliary, and was instrumental in developing the first safety town program for the residence of LaGrange. He was also very involved with Operation Open Heart.  Jim was licensed Radio Operator with the call letters W8AJI for over sixty years, and obtained his student private pilot’s certificate in 1973.  He was a member of St. Jude Church in Elyria.  Survivors include his loving wife of sixty seven years; Joan E. (nee: Meecha), a son; Scott (Kim) of Amherst, a daughter; Cynthia M. Chaplar (Alan) of Elyria, additional survivors include four grandchildren, six great grandchildren, a sister; Susan Hasko of Texas, and a brother; John Payne of Lorain. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; Russell and Dorothy (nee: Hillier) Payne, and a brother; Charles Payne.  The family will receive friends 4-7 PM Monday March 13, 2023 at The Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria (440)322-4626 where funeral services will be held at 7:00 PM Monday immediately following visitation. The Reverend Father Joseph Scalco, CSJ, Pastor of St. Jude Church will officiate. Burial will be private at St. Mary Cemetery in Elyria.  The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jim’s memory be sent to Ohio Parkinson Foundation Northeast Region PO Box 31907 Independence, OH 44131-4854 or Mercy New Life Hospice 3500 Kolbe Rd. Lorain, OH 44053. Online condolences to the family may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com

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