Eldon Ray Payne loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend returned to his loving Heavenly Father on Thursday December 27, 2012.

Eldon was born on January 7, 1944, in American Fork, Utah to Keith and Catherine Shipler Payne. He married his sweetheart Debra Lynn Decker for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Latter-day Saints Temple on February 23, 1974.

Eldon was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many auxillaries of the church including Bishop to his Payson ward.

Eldon loved his life and everyone in it. He especially loved his family and spending precious time with them. He always had a ready smile, a firm handshake, and an encouraging word for all. He loved to laugh and have fun and never missed an opportunity to bare testimony of his love for Jesus Christ.

Eldon grew up in Orem, Utah graduating from Orem High School and from Brigham Young University. He served his country for 20 years in the United States Army retiring honorably.

Eldon is survived by: his wife, Debbie; son, Brian Payne; daughter, Jeremy(Blake) Josephson, Saratoga Springs, Utah; and grandchildren Fischer, Parks, Lucy and Roxanne Josephson; his sisters, Alice(Howard) Shorthill, Orangeville, Utah; Mary Kay(Jimmie) Estes, Pleasant Grove, Utah; Gloria(Nephi) Poecker, Queen Creek, Arizona; Kathy(Doug) Hair, Provo, Utah and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother Ronald.

Funeral services will held Monday, December 31, 2012, 10:00 am, in the Payson Park Ward Chapel, 110 South 300 West. Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Sunday, 6-8:00 p.m. or at the church, Monday, 8:45- 9:45 am. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to assist with final expenses can be made at any Utah Community Credit Union Location in Eldon’s name.