Bernard “Bernie” Owen Payne

December 1, 1929 – May 23, 2024

ELKHART- Bernard “Bernie” Owen Payne, 94, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday May 23, 2024, at Elkhart Meadows.  He was born December 1, 1929, in Whiting, Indiana to Bethel & Margaret “Maggie” Emma (Pollard) Payne.

     On February 17, 1951, in South Bend, Indiana he married Barbara A. Olinger.  She survives along with 2 children, Michael “Mike” Payne of Cassopolis, MI, Cindy (Ernie) Bird of Osceola, IN; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Bethel Payne, and Margaret “Maggie” Combs, 2 brothers, Robert Payne and James Payne, his half-sister, Doris Randolph and his stepbrother, Georgie Lee Payne.

     Bernie was a US Army veteran serving from 1951-1953 and was honorably discharged.  Bernie worked at NIBCO as a tool room schedular for 37 years.  He also worked for Eby Dairy and Excel Industries.  Bernie was a well-known Auctioneer from 1962 – 2020 in the Elkhart area.

     Visitation for family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. on Thursday May 30, 2024, at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home.  Funeral services will start at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Jason Brooks and Phillip Laws will preside, and burial will follow at Rice Cemetery where there will be full military honors rendered.

     Memorial contributions may be given to the Cedar Road Missionary Church, 525 Cedar Road, Osceola, IN 46561.  The family would like to extend a special THANK YOU to the entire staff at Elkhart Meadows for the excellent care they gave to Bernie.