Ronald Edward Payne

Ronald “Ron” Edward Payne, 74, of Keokuk, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Great River Healthcare Center in Burlington.

Ron was born on January 31, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Floyd and Della Kneale Payne. On October 21, 1967, he was united in marriage to Suzan Roth in Keokuk, Iowa. She survives.

Ron was employed at Keokuk Steel Castings for over forty-five years, retiring in 2010 after working as a steel worker, union representative, and company employee. He was a member of Living Waters Assembly of God in Keokuk where he served on the church board and taught Sunday School. Ron also coached middle school football for thirty years and middle school track in Keokuk for twenty years. He loved the students he coached and they loved and respected him as well. Ron served on the Keokuk City Council for three terms, and was currently serving at the time of his passing. Ron proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, serving on active duty from June 24 1965 until June 22, 1967. He was a proud crewmember of the USS Intrepid (CVA-11). Ron also served in the Navy Reserves from June 24, 1967 until February 24, 1969, and again from June of 1991 until March of 1998. In his free time, Ron could be found outside golfing or tending to his immaculate gardens.  He enjoyed football and loved the Green Bay Packers and Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, but above all else, he adored his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.

Ron is survived by his wife Suzan Payne of Keokuk; his daughter Rhonda (Joe) Boyles of Niota, Illinois; three grandchildren: Jordyn (Justin) Bange of St. Louis, Missouri, and Gracie and Kacey Boyles , both of Niota; his great-grandson Declan Bange of St. Louis, Missouri; eight siblings: Bob (Mary) Payne, Larry (Suzie) Payne, Peggy Skinner, Vickie (Denis) Pezley, and Gary (Trish) Payne, Melody Krone, David (Lance) Payne, and Lisa (Charles) Desmond; and five in-laws: Betty Crocker, Vera (Dick) Lillis, Sandra (Don) Hill, Kathryn (Keith) Oliver, and Janice (Ken) LeMaster. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, his son Ronald Payne, Jr., his sister Patsy Bell and two brothers-in-law: Joe and Mike Roth.

Ron’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Living Waters Assembly of God in Keokuk, with burial to follow at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 pm. For the safety of those attending, masks and social distancing are required. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed via the DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorials may be directed to K-Play or Living Waters Assembly of God in Keokuk.

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