Ronald E. Payne

Ronald “Ron” E. Payne, 90, a life-long resident of Port Clinton, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his wife, Dolores, by his side, on Sunday, January 26, 2025. He had been a resident of Riverview Healthcare Campus, in Oak Harbor for several years. Ron was born on September 20, 1934, one of six children, to Ruel and Enid (Widmer) Payne. Ron enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1957-1959. After his service he returned to marry the love of his life, Dolores (Lochotzki) in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, on October 17, 1959. They went on to spend the next 65 years together, raising their family and serving their community.

Ron worked for the former Esmond Dairy for 25 years as a route sales deliveryman in Sandusky, Ohio. He later worked for Standard Products for four years in the 1980’s and at Edgewood Manor Nursing home for 17 years, retiring in 1998. In 2004 Ron joined the Catholic Church and on April 25, 2004 made his First Holy Communion with his grandson, Thomas Rudecki.

Ron loved children and was a tutor to the first graders at Immaculate Conception Catholic School for many years. His students always lovingly referred to him as “Grandpa Ron.” He was a member of the Hospitality group at church and a member of the former Port Clinton Jaycees.

Ron loved the outdoors, working in his gardens and landscaping, along with watching the many birds and squirrels that visited his yard. He was a painter, using oils to create colorful landscapes of all types, and when the sun went down, he loved the study of astronomy. Fishing was also high on his list of activities summer and winter. When his girls were young, he would take them out on the lake to have a contest to see who could bring back the biggest catch!

Ron is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Dolores, daughters, Rebecca Girand and Susan (Michael) Rudecki, grandchildren, Mollie and Thomas Rudecki, and niece, Debbie Mahle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruel & Enid, brothers, Kenneth and Duane Payne, and sisters, Beverly Bigelow and LaVonne Smith.

Visitation for Ron will be conducted on Sunday, February 9, 2025, from 2:00-5:00 PM at the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 216 Washington St., Port Clinton. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 10, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 414 Madison St., Port Clinton. Interment will be private in the Riverview Cemetery, Port Clinton. Memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Heartland Hospice, 907 W. State St., Fremont, Ohio 43420, or Ida Rupp Library, 310 Madison St., Port Clinton, Ohio 43452. Online condolences may be shared with Ron’s family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.