Roger L. Payne
Roger L. Payne passed away on December 30, 2023 at home with his family by his side. He was 80 years old.
Roger was born in Shelby, Ohio to Ned E. and Phyllis G. (Klein) Payne on March 22, 1943. A 1961 graduate of Shelby High School, he then attended The Ohio State University for a couple of years before deciding to “transfer” to what he referred to as the College of Hard Knocks. He worked for a short time at the Shelby Salesbook and Ohio Seamless Tube “Tuby”. Following in his father’s footsteps, Roger then went to work for the US Postal Service starting out as a letter carrier in Shelby and working his way up to Postmaster in various cities. He retired from the Post Service and was proud to get his first retirement check at age 55. After retirement he enjoyed working with his son, Randy, at Adena and his son, Kevin, doing land surveying work. He said those were some of the best working years of his life and looked forward to each of those days.
Roger was proud to be a member of the Buckeye Central School Board for 19 years. As member of the school board, he had good memories of pulling the rope on the plow to break ground on the first Buckeye Central football field. He was also influential on the design and construction of the new Buckeye Central school.
Roger had many hobbies and activities that he enjoyed in his free time. Some of them included going to West Virginia four-wheeling with one of his best friends, raising livestock and always making sure they had a clean bed to sleep in, and working around the farm. He loved to spend time outdoors cleaning up the woods and cutting firewood to sell to his loyal customers. Most of all he enjoyed watching his grandchildren in all their activities and rarely missed an event.
Roger is survived by his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann (Southard) Payne, whom he married April 4, 1964. This April they would have been married 60 years. Together they raised three children: Randy (Lisa) Payne and their children Randa Payne and Ryan Payne; Tammy (Mark) Gwirtz and their children Megan (Quinton) Hiler and Josh Gwirtz; and Kevin (Kim) Payne and their children Madelyn Payne and Nolan Payne. Also surviving are his brother: Bob (Sue Ann) Payne and sister-in-law: Sally (Jim) Dunbar. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Janet and Ron Knight.
The family would like to thank the nurses at OhioHealth Shelby Hospital Infusion Clinic and Pathways Hospice.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2023 at 10:30 am. Fr. Jeremy Miller will officiate the services with burial following in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Ohio Crawford County Chargers, 1630 East Southern Avenue, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820.
Online condolences may be left on Roger’s obituary on the funeral home’s website, www.PenwellTurner.com, or their Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.
To view Roger’s Tribute Video, click here: Roger L. Payne Tribute Video
To all the Payne family- Michelle and I send our deepest sympathy. Roger was a great guy that I deeply respected and admired. We had many great conversations over the years and I truly appreciated his work for the Buckeye Central School District. RIP my friend.
I never saw Roger happier than when he was surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren! He just beamed with pride and joy! I taught for Buckeye Central for 23 years and had the honor of having his granddaughter, Megan in my class. Whenever the school board met at Buckeye East, Megan and I knew we’d be walking into a scavenger hunt the next day, trying to figure out what that “silly grandpa” moved or hid in our classroom. Such wonderful memories! My thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family!!
So sorry to read this news. I enjoyed Roger so much as a friend and School Board colleague. He loved BC and was such a strong supporter of the staff and students. I will miss his giggles and sense of humor. My sympathy to his family. He dearly loved all of you and was so proud of each of you.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our sincere condolences to the entire family. Prayers for all in the days ahead
My condolences to your family. I remember Randy, Tammy and Kevin from Buckeye East and Buckeye Central growing up. Praying for you all.
Dear Mary Ann and family! My heart breaks for all of you! We had some good years in Tiro! My God wrap his arms around all of you and give you peace! Love, Ron & Mar
Mary Ann and Family, please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Roger. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
So sorry for your loss, Tammy and family. My condolences.
I remember Roger from my years in the Buckeye Central School system where I served a teacher. Roger was always active and supportive as a parent. He and Maryanne were always there for their children. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Mary Ann, I am so sorry . Sending you love and wishes that treasure all those wonderful memories of your life with Roger.
Our deepest sympathies to the whole family. Roger was one in a million and his loss is felt by so many people he impacted over the years. What a great legacy he has left behind. May your memories help bring you peace and comfort.
Dear Payne Family,
I would like to express my sincere condolences. I always enjoyed discussions with Roger at family gatherings. Be it farming or construction related they were always entertaining. He was a great man and will be missed dearly. God bless him.
-Andrew
As a school-age student at Tiro, I remember Roger visiting Charlie Cole and riding the School bus that Charlie drove. Roger was a hoot! He always had a smile and something funny to say!
Whenever I would see Roger in later years he still had that ornery grin and something funny to say. He was a friend to everyone!
Mary Ann and family you have my deepest sympathy and prayers.
May your memories carry you through these difficult times!
My sympathy to you, Mary,Ann and family. Also to Bobby, his brother. Roger was such a great person. He always had a smile on his face and always made a point to speak to you. He surely will be missed. Ellen (Shull) Stephenson
Mary Ann and the Shelby Paynes, sending out love and prayers to you. I have such fond memories of visiting you all in Shelby with our family. I know how deeply you’ll miss cousin Roger but hope you find comfort in your good memories of him.
Rebecca and Peter Bess
To the Payne Family and Bob & Sue, So sorry for your loss. May God Bless and Keep You and Yours Always…..
RIP ROGER
My deepest sympathy to Mary Ann, Randy, Kevin, Tammy also his brother Bob. God Bless you all.. I know the memories will comfort you all through these difficult times..You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathy to all of you.
So sorry to hear about your loss . Roger was an exceptional man. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Ann and family,
So sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. Always enjoyed talking with him. Sending many thoughts and prayers to you all.
Randy, Lisa, and family. Please accept our sincere sympathy for the loss of your father. You are in our prayers. May he rest in peace. God bless you all.
So sorry for your loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Randy and Lisa:
With sincere sympathy we pray that your family will be comforted in this time of loss. I didn’t have the privilege of knowing your dad but he sure seemed like a wonderful gentleman. You are the spitting image of your dad and just as genuine.
All the best from our family.
We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss.
John and Angel Schroeder
My sincere condolences to you Mary Ann and your family. Remembering the times we visited Roger’s family home on Plum Avenue in Shelby many years ago and still do whenever I’m in Shelby. And seeing you at the Crum Reunions, which were the good times gone by! Hugs to all at this time. Loved your video….beautiful family.
Carole Shull Gerhart
So sorry for your loss,,Thoughts and prayers to your family
Mary Ann, Randy, Kevin, and Tammy and family, I was saddened to hear of Roger’s passing. Saw him at a lot of basketball games. My sincere sympathy to all of you. My prayers and thoughts are with you.