Obituary of Jonathan Davis Payne

Payne, Jonathan Davis “Jon,” of West Branch, Iowa, died unexpectedly in his sleep on April 22, 2019. He was born August 20, 1991 in Piqua, Ohio, the son of Joe and Linda Payne. He was a graduate of Greenville (Ohio) High School and the University of Dayton, where he graduated summa cum laude. Jon went on to earn an MA degree in brass from the University of Iowa.

An accomplished horn player, Jon was the Second Chair Hornist of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra. Jon also played regularly in Cedar Rapids Municipal Band concerts, as well as in other venues as soloist and ensemble member. Jon’s last musical offering was as a member of a brass quartet at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City on Easter Sunday, April 21.  it was said their last piece was so glorious “it seemed as if the heavens had opened.”

Since last September Jonathan was a fulltime staff member of the Johnson County (Iowa) Conservation Department at the 1000-acre F.W. Kent Park. His supervisors and peers appreciated Jon for his devotion to excellence in all that he did, and his earnest desire to learn and expand his skill level in conservation and park maintenance. Jonathan was also employed part-time at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, and was previously employed as Lead Custodian and Maintenance Specialist at McDonald’s Restaurant in North Liberty, IA.

His co-workers, friends, and family knew Jon to be quiet, kind, and caring, with liberal doses of cerebral quirkiness and goofiness that endeared him to all.

Jonathan is survived by his parents, Joe and Linda Payne of Fairfield, Ohio; brother, Christopher McKay (and partner Paweł Łaniewski) of Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Sara (Rob) McKelvey of Franklin, Tennessee; and brother, Daniel (Kendal) Payne of Ramsey, Minnesota. Jon is also survived by his McKelvey nieces, Adena, Piper, Willow, and Evie; and his Payne niece and nephew, Leona and Boden. Rounding out Jon’s “Circle of Love” are a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Jon was loved and will be dearly missed by many.  

A memorial service is planned for 4:00pm on Sunday, April 28 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4601 Fairfield Ave., Fairfield, Ohio, with the Rev. David Meredith officiating.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may consider memorial gifts to either:

 Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association (QSOA)

o By mail, 200 N. 8th St., Suite 102, Quincy, IL  62301 (write “in memory of Jonathan Payne” on the check’s memo line.)

o For online donations; https://qsoa.org/support-us/donate-now/donate-online/

In the field “Name as it should appear in the 2019-2020 Concert Program,” donors may write their name, plus “in memory of Jonathan Payne.”

• St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4601 Fairfield Ave., Fairfield, OH 45014.

Offering Envelopes will also be made available at the church.

Much appreciation is extended to Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, and to the many family and friends who reached out with love and care during this time.