Rev. Bernard Lee Payne

Rev. Bernard Lee “Bernie” Payne, the son of Lawrence Lee and Wilhelmina Juliana (Passig) Payne, was born Oct. 15, 1934, in Brookfield, Mo. Bernie attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, N.Y. He served his country as a United States Army Chaplain from 1958-1960.

On June 2, 1962, Bernie was united in marriage with Sandra Wagner at the Gardens in Johnson City, N.Y.  He loved his dear wife for more than 50 years. He was a Godly example to his children and grandchildren. He served the Lord for over 50 years, pastoring in Germany, Central Iowa and Bermuda.

Bernie died Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 80 years old. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Ed Payne and Orville Payne.

Those left to honor Bernie’s memory include his wife, Sandy Payne of Ankeny; his sons, Rev. Jonathan (Kim) Payne and David (Shantelle) Payne; his daughter, Joanna (Ben) Brightman; his granddaughters, Kristin Payne, Jessica Payne, Moriah (Alex) Clark, Brianna Brightman and Simone Brightman; his grandsons, Jaxon Payne and Shaalim Payne; his sister, Evelyn Davis; and his brothers, Larry Payne and Roger Payne.

A service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 16 at Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des Moines. The family will greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Interment will be at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Van Meter.