The late Dr. Edwin Payne remembered as someone who cared about the community

LANCASTER − The late Dr. Edwin Payne is remembered as someone who cared deeply about the community.

He was the long-time director of the Fairfield Center for disABILITIES and Cerebral Palsy, which is now called the Fairfield Center for INDEPENDENCE. He retired in February after having worked at the agency since 1997.

Payne's sister, Debbie Elston, said Payne died peacefully Thursday morning under hospice care and surrounded by family and friends. He had multiple sclerosis and Elston said his death was related to that.

Payne was an Ohio University graduate and went to medical school at the University of Cincinnati. He completed the latter’s three-year radiology program. His medical career stretched from 1972 to 1994.

"He was my life for 55 years," Payne's widow, Cheryl, said. "He was always there for me. Always there for me."

Elston and her daughter, Susan Elston, said Payne, 80, was humble, generous and kind-hearted.

"Very community-oriented," Susan Elston said. "He just wanted the best for everyone."

Debbie Elston said her brother was a great organizer.

"And he did it in a calm way," she said. "He could have the whole town doing a fundraiser and everybody just followed him like little mice. 'OK, we'll do it.' And he was a great brother growing up. There's eight of us and he was the oldest."

Payne was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, and also lived in Chillicothe as a child.

In May, Payne won the Floyd Wolfe Community Service Award at the Lancaster-Fairfield County Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet. That was one of the many awards he earned during his life. But his life was more than about his awards.

"Nov. 1, (Payne's birthday) is All Saints Day," Susan Elston said. "And that's how I remember him - as a saint."

Fairfield Center for INDEPENDENCE Executive Director Joshua Stevens said Payne was a brilliant and visionary leader.

"He was vehement about providing a more inclusive space for everyone, especially those that FCdCP supported," Stevens said. "We will long remember Dr. Payne’s energy, tenacity and ability to help others live a fulfilling life. Words simply cannot express the immense loss we feel at this time.

"Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the difficult days ahead. Dr. Payne was a truly amazing man and his loss only reminds us of the huge impact he left on the Center and his community."

WLRY FM radio station manager Mike Lamneck worked with Payne and his wife for years on the annual multiple sclerosis walk.

"Dr. Payne was a real positive force in the community," Lamneck said. "He made real change and raised awareness about multiple sclerosis and people with disabilities."

Mayor David Scheffler also spoke on Payne's importance to the community.

"Dr. Payne was a pillar of the community during his medical career and his second act as the executive director of Fairfield Center for Independence," he said. "His impact on the Lancaster community will live on for many years."

Payne told the Eagle-Gazette in February he had planned on taking his annual trip to Disney World in Florida in December. His sister said Payne's widow will still make the trip in Payne's memory.

There will be viewing for Payne from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Sheridan Funeral Home at 222 S. Columbus St. The funeral be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Crossroads Event Center at 2095 W. Fair Avenue. There will also be a visitation that day at 10 a.m.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: The late Dr. Edwin Payne was a pillar to the community, mayor says