Fairbury – John "Howard" Payne, 97 of Fairbury, passed away at 7:30 am, Friday, September 1, 2023 at his residence in rural Fairbury.

Funeral services will be 11 am, Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating. Burial will follow in South Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury.

Visitation will be 9 – 11 am prior to the funeral on Tuesday also at the funeral home in Fairbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to OSF Hospice.

Howard was born September 9, 1925 in Fairbury, the son of Earl and Mayme (Hieronymus) Payne. He married Maxine Wyant on February 11, 1950 in Colfax. His wife, Maxine survives in rural Fairbury.

Other survivors include two sons, John Payne, Steven (Kelly) Payne both of Fairbury; three granddaughters, Mandy (Tyson) Fehr of Chenoa; Sara (Ryan) Fehr, Katie (Pete) Kinate both of Fairbury; eleven great grandchildren and one sister, Marilyn Wells of Fairbury.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter in-law, Sharon Payne and three sisters, Bernadine Payne, Lois Steidinger and Shirley Payne.

Howard was a life-long farmer and served as Road Commissioner in Belle Prairie Township for over 40years.  The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of OSF Hospice for the care and support they received during Howard's illness.