David E. Payne of Plymouth passed away peacefully at The Waterford in Plymouth on December 19,
2023, at the age of 92.
David was born to Ernest & Maebelle (nee Schultz) Payne- Herbert in Oakfield, WI, on October 7, 1931.
He moved to Plymouth when he was about five years old and remained there the rest of his life.
David graduated from Plymouth High School in 1951. On August 8, 1953, he married his high school
sweetheart, Mary O’Neil. David was an electrician and worked at Kohler Company and later retiring in
1995 after 17 years from Schreier Malting. After retirement, David was an electrical inspector for the
Town of Plymouth and the City of Sheboygan Falls. He enjoyed his travels which brought them to
Hawaii, Europe, and Ireland. They loved spending their retirement for many winters in Mesa, AZ.
During David’s retirement, he enjoyed living at Salem Green. He also loved to spend time fishing and
swimming at his youngest son and daughter-in-law’s cottage on Wilke Lake. David belonged to the
Knights of Columbus and was a Eucharistic server for many years at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
He enjoyed working at the Food Bank and was on the Board of Directors at Quit Qui Oc Manor for many
years.
David worked hard his whole life to provide a comfortable and happy life to his wife, children, and
grandchildren where they could always come back to with so much love, caring strength, and support.
Dad, we miss you already; there is a big bright spark of light missing from this world without you there!
Together, David and Mary raised four sons. He was most proud and happy of the success, activities, and
lives of his children. Steve (Michelle) of West Sacramento, CA; Michael (Janet) of Plymouth, WI; Very
Reverend Mark Payne, Milwaukee, WI; and Tom (Mikki) of Sheboygan, WI.
In addition to his children, David was survived by three grandchildren: Sara Payne of Plymouth, WI,
David (Ashley) Payne of Blue Mounds, WI; Daniel Payne of Plymouth; two step-grandchildren: Alex
Steffes of Madison, WI, and Makenzie Steffes of Sheboygan; one great-granddaughter, Melanie Stolpa,
of West Bend, WI, and two step-great-grandsons, Maxwell and Miles Payne of Plymouth, WI, and sister-
in-law, Karen Payne of Plymouth, WI.
David was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Payne, his parents, two brothers Allen Payne and Stanley
& Margaret “Peg” Payne of Cascade, WI, brothers- and sisters-in-law David & Kathryn O’Neil, Robert &
Mary Ann O’Neil, George & Marion O’Neil, and Daniel O’Neil, and nephew, Robert O’Neil Jr.
A service will take place at a later date at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Burial in St. John the
Baptist Catholic cemetery.
The family would like to say thank you to the staff at The Waterford in Plymouth for giving such great
care and comfort for David during his stay. We would also like to thank the staff from Allay Home and
Hospice, Inc., for the great services they provided.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be set up for the Angel Fund at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
and for St. Lawrence Seminary.
Suchon Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Plymouth is serving the family.
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