Howard Payne

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Howard J. Payne, 70, of Sikeston died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 28, 1933, son of Alonzo Edgar and Sarah Frances Griffen Payne. He and Carol R. Randolph were married Sept. 9, 1978, in Sikeston.

Payne served in the U.S. Air Force from Feb. 14, 1952, to Oct. 1, 1973, attaining the rank of technical sergeant.

He then moved to Blytheville, Ark. He attended Cotton-Boll Tech in Burdette, Ark., and received two certifications in architectural drafting in 1976.

Payne worked in housekeeping at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he was certified a member of the National Executive Housekeepers Association in 1983.

He was co-owner and manager of Sheri-Dan Hallmark in Sikeston, and was hotel manager for Budgetel Inns Inc. until retiring in 1991. He attended North Acres General Baptist Church, and was a member of Henry Meldrum American Legion Post 114.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Philip Payne of Gosnell, Ark.; a daughter, Kay Ohmer of Gosnell; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.