Curtis L. Payne

Born in Pontiac, Michigan, July 28, 1941, the son of Wallace J. and Doris K. (Selleck) Payne.

Curt married Claudia A. Karl at the St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Buffalo on Sept. 23, 1961.

A Superintendent of Quality Control, Curt retired from the Ford Stamping Plant in Woodlawn after 31 years of employment .

He was very active socially in Gowanda . He served 21 years as the President of the Sons of The American Legion Post 409; was an exempt member of the Gowanda Volunteer Fire Dept. (Erie Hose No. 1 and also served as Past President); a life member of the Slovenian Club; a member of Phoenix Lodge F&AM #262 of Gowanda; and former member of the James Cruden VFW Post 5007 Auxillary along with the Gowanda Moose Lodge No. 1382.

Curt enjoyed wine making, hunting, fishing, family camping at Pope Haven in Randolph, NY, and spending winters in the Florida Keys with his wife.

Surviving him, besides his wife Claudia, of nearly 63 years, are his children Michael (Theresa) Payne of Venice, Fla., Barbara L. Clabeaux of Canadaigua, NY, and Carolyn (Jody) Watson of Henrietta, NY, and grandchildren Danielle (Ronald) Clabeaux, Kristina Clabeaux and Joshua ( Kristy) Olinger. Curt is also survived by his siblings; David (“Peg”) Payne of Eden, Chuck Payne of Gowanda, Debera (David) Weatherly of Cuba, Linda (Richard) Klancer of Gowanda, and Lynn (Bonnie) Payne of Myrtle Beach, SC. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Besides his parents, Curt was preceded in death by two brothers Robert and William Payne, and a sister Diana Payne. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda, Saturday, July 27, 2024. Deacon Joseph Gassman will celebrate Curt’s life at noon.