Merle Esther Paine

Merle Paine, 98, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at Custer Care in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Merle was born November 6, 1914, in Callaway, Nebraska, to Fred G. and Lillian (Morgan) Payton. Merle graduated from Callaway High School in 1932, and attended Kearney State College where she obtained her teaching degree. She taught in several of the country schools, the Oconto School and worked as a book keeper for the Oconto Bank where she met and married Glenn “Jim” Paine on June 19, 1940. They farmed with Jim’s brother, Sam, at Oconto. They raised turkeys in Kearney, Nebraska, and had a mink ranch in Evergreen, Colorado. They lived in Sedona, Arizona, for five years and Morrison, Colorado, for fourteen years. After Jim passed away Merle returned to her home town of Callaway in 1991. During the winter months she would travel to Oregon to spend the Holiday’s with her brother Earl and nieces Kathy, Kelly and Patty. She was an active member in the senior programs playing the piano, organ and singing in the choir and visitation. She spent many hours playing the piano, singing and presenting Bible lessons to residents of the Good Samaritan Home and visiting the shut in’s. She was awarded the Aksarben Good Neighbor Award in 1995. Merle is survived by her Sister-In-Laws, Lila Payton of Encampment, Wyoming and Ethel Payton of Anchorage, Alaska and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim Paine, sisters: Elsie Payton and Emma Jean Fitch, brothers: Ira, Kenneth, Bob, Earl, Fred and Gale Payton. Funeral Services will be Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Callaway with Reverend Roger Gillming and Pastor Dean Haidle officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. at the Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway. Memorials are suggested to the Family for later designation. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is in charge of arrangements.