Norman C. Payne

St. Joseph – Norman C. Payne, 81, of St. Joseph, passed away on the afternoon of December 25, at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, January 4, at the Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road, in Stevensville with Pastor Gordy Barry of the Stevensville United Methodist Church, and Pastor Kendal Holder of the Baroda Church of God, Lakeshore Campus, officiating. Military rites will conclude the service. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to either the Stevensville United Methodist Church or to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Dey-Florin Funeral Home in St. Joseph. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.florin.net. Norman was born September 22, 1932 in New Buffalo, Michigan. He was one of two sons born to Martin and Eartle Payne. Norman proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from service, Norman married the ‘love of his life,’ Bonnie Sliter on February 6, 1954. Together they celebrated nearly 60 years of happy marriage and had three children. Norman worked for Clark Equipment before retiring in 1986 after 30 years of service. He later worked for Pinnacle Bank as a Courier. An avid sports fan, Norman enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers and Lions as well as coaching little league. He also enjoyed playing left-handed bowling and golf. Norman was extremely proud of his military service and was a member of VFW Post #1137, American Legion Post #568, and DAV Charter 17. Most of all, Norman was a deeply religious man who cherished his family. Norman will affectionately be remembered by his family as being a “loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.” Norman is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children, Donna (James) Dobbins of Ft. Wayne, IN, Mary Schmidtke of Baroda, and Norman, Jr. (Julie) Payne of Holland; grandchildren, Amy Dobbins of Ft. Wayne and Jimmy, Jr. (Suzanne) Dobbins of Decatur, IN, Cory and Nicole Schmidtke of Baroda, and Zach, Nicholas, Stephanie, Allison, and Ben Payne of Holland; great-grandchildren, Jared, Logan, and Caitlyn Dobbins; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by his brother, Robert E. Payne.

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Norman C. Payne

September 22, 1932 - December 25, 2013