Bernard V. Payne, age 97, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Washington County Hospital surrounded by family, after a short battle with pneumonia.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Ben Blanchard and Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. Masonic Lodge services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening and the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. A memorial has been established for Lending Hands. Online condolences may be sent for Bernard's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Bernard was born November 15, 1919 in Noble, Iowa, the son of Edgar and Cordie M. (Lance) Payne. He graduated from Wayland High School and attended Texas A & M for Naval training. He served honorably in the United States Navy from 1942-1946. Bernard was united in marriage to Elizabeth C. "Bette" Longer on September 17, 1950 in Washington, Iowa.

Bernard owned and operated Payne's Radio, T.V. and Appliance Store for many years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Washington, as well as a member of the Washington Optimist Club and a charter member of the Washington Noon Kiwanis Club. Bernard was an archer instructor through the YMCA and was a Mason for several years, serving as the Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge twice. He was a great outdoorsman who loved hunting, trapping and fishing and was an avid bowler. Bernard was a member of the Iowa Trapper's Association, National Trapper's Association and the National Rifle Association. He greatly enjoyed spending time at Lending Hands and loved his friends and family. Bernard's goal was to live to 110 years old and he came close.

He is survived by his son, Randy Payne and wife Darlene of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Rose Furgason and husband Rodney of Washington, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and brother-in-law, Rev. Willis Longer and wife Verla of Monticello, Iowa.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1998; daughter, Sherry Rae; grandson, Lance Wendall; brothers: Robert and Glen Payne; and sister, Evelyn Klopfenstein.