Merle Payne died Jan. 20, 2013, at Horizons Care Center in Eckert.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Delta, with Pastors Seth Coridan and Walt Marshall officiating.
Interment will follow at Delta City Cemetery.
Merle Anna Howard was born at home in Read on March 9, 1915, to Ira and Anna (Farrington) Howard. She attended school at Read Elementary and Delta High School.
She married Philman Payne Nov. 8, 1933. They prospected in Arizona, worked on the Bridgeport Ranch, and truck farmed in North Delta. She also worked at the canning factory and a dry cleaner.
In 1952, Mrs. Payne began working at the Delta County clerk and recorder's office, eventually becoming deputy clerk and recorder. She was also the driver's license examiner, though she herself did not drive. She retired in December 1981 to care for her husband who was in ill health.
She enjoyed reading, her cats Missy and Susie, serving as a "Pink Lady" at the hospital, being involved in politics, serving on election boards, and attending sabbath prayer meetings at the Seventh-day Adventist Church with her sisters.
Mrs. Payne is survived by one sister, Mabel Howard.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Phil; her brother, Guy Howard; her sisters, Marjorie Long, Orpha Miley, Clara Marshall, Thelma Mosher and Mabel's twin, Myrtle.
Arrangements are being handled by Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.
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