Thornton Eugene "Gene" Payne, 79, of Lorain, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Community Health Partners Hospital, Lorain following a lengthy illness.
He was born July 12, 1928 in Dayton, Ohio; living in Portsmouth, Ohio and Charleston, W.VA, before coming to Lorain in 1947.
He worked for Preston, in Elyria as a truck driver. Prior to that he worked for Pete Held Transfer, Elyria and Norwalk Truck Line, Lorain as a truck driver.
He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 571, and the Model Railroaders Association.
Gene is survived by his wife, Nancy M. (nee Pizzola); sons, Thomas E. of Elyria, David M. of Elyria; a daughter, Marilouise N. Kitts of Vermilion; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Thornton A. and Mary L. (nee Chambers) Payne; and a granddaughter, Elise Briel Payne.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8 pm in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, where funeral services will be Friday at 10:00 a.m.. Rev. Fr. Stephen Shields, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.