Clarence "PETE" Payne 1922~2009

PAYNE, THOMANN, REINER, CARUSO, MACE

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 6/29/2009 at 07:38:07

Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier June 29, 2009

Clarence "Pete" Payne
BATAVIA — Clarence "Pete" Arnold Payne, 87, of Fairfield, died June 27, 2009, at Ottumwa Regional Health Center. He was born March 20, 1922, in rural Batavia to Harry and Eliza Reinier Payne. He married Mildred Bernice Thomann on Sept. 13, 1944, in Ottumwa. She preceded him in death in 1992.

He is survived by Josephine Caruso, who he married in Sept. 25, 1993. Early in their marriage, Pete and Bernice enjoyed square dancing and they always played cards with friends and family. They had their hands full raising their five children, attending most of the kids sporting events.Pete and Josephine wintered at Hickory Hills Manor in Lakeland, Fla., where they spent many evenings dancing, enjoying the warm climate and meeting other snow birds. Upon their return to Iowa for the spring and summer months they also enjoyed dancing at Polishville. Pete will be remembered by the students who rode his school bus, Florida friends, the many people he met dancing and by the local farming community. He will be best remembered for his gift of gab and his unjudgmental character.He was a retired farmer and school bus driver for Cardinal Community School District, a member of the Bladensburg Christian Church and the Batavia Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Michael (Letitia) Payne of Fredericksburg, Texas; four daughters, Carol Mace of Grandview, Iowa, Jeanette (Ron) Klicker of Verona, Ill., Janeen (Bryan) Morris of Reno, Nev., and JoEllen (Scott) McDowell of Eldon, Iowa; a stepson Fred (Ellen) Caruso of Englewood, Colo.; a stepdaughter, Phyllis (Ken) Sheldon of Stoney Point, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maxine Whipple of Fairfield, Iowa, and Audrey Murray of Whitehouse, Texas; sister-in-law Deloris (Wayne) Van Den Berg of Agency, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also survived by several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, especially Joanie Rippe of New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lawrence (Jessie) Payne; sister-in-law, Vera Slater and brothers-in-law, Dean (Mirm) Thomann, Richard Whipple and Bud Murray.His body has been cremated. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Bladensburg Christian Church with Pastor Larry Smith officiating.The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Steven Ellison for his continued care of "Pistol Pete" over the many years.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bladensburg Christian Church, Sunnybrook Assisted Living or donor's choice.Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa is in charge of arrangements.