James Green Payne III

James Green Payne III of Rushville, Indiana passed away on November 27, 2025 at the age of 91. He was born in Anderson, Indiana on November 23, 1934 to Victor H. and Floy B. Payne. Jim was raised in New Castle, Indiana. He attended Indiana University, was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and remained an enthusiastic and loyal IU fan for the rest of his days. Basketball was always a passion but, we are grateful the Hoosier football team finally gave him some joy too. From 1957 until 1959, he served the U.S. Army with HQ Battery, 4th Armored Division in Ft. Hood, Texas and Germany. He married Sylvia Mae Haffner on June 14, 1959 and remained best friends and lifelong sweethearts for 57 wonderful years, until her passing in 2016. After marrying, Jim and Sylvia moved to Rushville in 1962 and Jim ran Budget Becker Insurance (later The Payne Agency) until his retirement in 2000. Jim was a very active community member and dedicated his time and leadership to a broad range of organizations from serving several terms as president of the Rushville Chamber of Commerce, to taking leading roles in many Rush County Players productions. His involvement with the Economic Development Committee helped lead to the creation of the Industrial Park. The Rotary Club, Fraternal Order of the Elks, Rush Memorial Hospital Board, Rush County Historical Society, Homer Arts Festival, etc all benefitted from his many years of service. Even at 90 he volunteered at the Rush County Health Department doing data entry. He was also a proud 60-year member of the Circle 8 poker club. He was the finest man we ever knew, and a wonderful and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Jim is survived by his three children, Kathy Payne of Rushville, Deborah (Bryan) Garlock of Pittsburgh, PA, and David (Denise) Payne of Rushville, six beloved grandchildren; Anders, Kelsey (Zach Nerenberg), Britta (Brendan Laing), and Elissa Bergren, Lauryn (John Vidal) and Carter Payne, a grandkitty; Cheyenne, and great-grandson; Arthur Nerenberg. He is also survived by his older sister Marilyn (Payne) Freeouf, his cousin Teresa (Larry) Amick, and his loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Jack Payne. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the caring staff of Methodist Hospital, Morristown Manor, and especially Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jim Payne Family Fund through the Rush County Community Foundation. A celebration of his life is pending at this time.

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James Green Payne III

November 23, 1934 - November 27, 2025