Obituary of Harold Payne

Harold "Pete" Payne passed away at his home in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 16, 2008 surrounded by his family. Pete was born in Knox, North Dakota on August 13, 1922 and resided in Niles, MI until his death, on October 16, 2008. He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur J. Payne and Nina (Jay) Payne, three brothers, Dale, Robert and Bill, one sister Evelyn Payne (Bremmer) and one grandson Aaron Phillip Payne. Harold is survived by his wife of 65 years Catherine (Connors) Payne and nineteen children Charles (Pricilla) Alvord, Paragould, Arkansas, Kathleen (Jon) Jankoviak, Niles, Michigan, Jim (Dawn) Payne, Niles, Michigan, Raymond Payne, Niles, Michigan, Timothy (Melissa) Payne, Troy, Michigan, Theresa Bella, Niles, Michigan, Jeffrey (Christine) Payne, Buchanan, Michigan, Michael (Pamela) Payne, Niles, Michigan, Mary Payne, Niles, Michigan, Denise Casey, Niles, Michigan, Doris (William) Beckman, Niles, Michigan, Peter (Kay) Payne, Niles, Michigan, Colleen (John) Raven, Niles, Michigan, Corrine (Timothy) Craig, Niles, Michigan, Suzette (Donald) Kennedy, Niles, Michigan, Kerry (Laura) Payne of Niles, Michigan, Rhea Yoder, Niles, Michigan, Thomas (Brenda) Payne, Niles, Michigan, Thaddeus (Emma) Payne, Niles, Michigan, ninety three grandchildren, one hundred thirty eight great-grandchildren and fifteen great-great-grandchildren. Pete worked twenty six years at National Standard Company of Niles, MI and retired after ten years of service at Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles, where he was a member for fifty years. He loved and served his Heavenly Father, his family, country and fellow man. He was part of the solution and not the problem, a giver instead of a taker, and a true optimist. A celebration of life service will be held at The First Missionary Church; 2325 US 12 East; Niles, MI 49120 with a visitation from 5:30 to 7:30pm and service following from 7:30 to 8:30pm on Saturday, October 18, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church; 3 South 19th Street; Niles, MI at 11:00 am on Monday, October 20, 2008. There will be a luncheon immediately following the funeral mass at St. Mark Hall.