John Payne, Feb. 23, 1944 – May 25, 2022

      John Payne, 78, of Central City died Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in his home surrounded by his family.

    A celebration of life will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa. Pastor Don McGarvey will officiate. Private burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to the time of service at the funeral home. Please visit Goettschonline.com and share your thoughts, memories, stories and condolences with John’s family.

    Donald John Payne was born on Feb. 23, 1944 in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Vernon and Bernice (Albang) Payne.  John had five brothers and one sister and graduated from Monticello High School in 1962.  He worked at Wilson’s meat packing plant in Cedar Rapids, working his way into the accounting department and retired in the summer of 1982.  During his retirement, John drove a school bus for the Central City School District.  He also kept himself busy by splitting wood and selling it to area businesses.

    On May 9, 1964, John married Linda S. Miller at St. Patrick’s Church in Anamosa. Two children were born to this union, which resulted in six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

    John was a fascinating and complex man, a responsible Christian husband and father, providing for his family in a work a day world and yet a man of many talents and interests.  John was an accomplished hunter, a small business man, a capable farmer and a historian with a remarkable knowledge of America’s Civil War.  Despite his many interests, John was a loving and caring grandfather as well. His stories have entranced the children for years.

    Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Linda, two sons, Phil (Shannon) Payne of Ryan, and Jeff (Christa) Payne of Satellite Beach, Fla., grandchildren and great-grandchildren.