Murray and Floreen Payne

Floreen Payne of Blenheim slipped away peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Saturday March 25, 2017. Her husband Murray followed on Thursday April 6, 2017 and is now reunited with Floreen and with his Heavenly Father.

Floreen was born in Howard Township to her late parents Walter & Florence Beecroft 82 years ago. Murray was born in Dover to his late parents James & Sadie Payne 85 years ago. In 1953 they married and began a journey that would span over 64 years.  Floreen and Murray raised five children; Shannon & David Pringle (with their children Jordan, Amanda and Matthew), Jim & Gloria Payne (with their children Rachael, Joshua and Jesse), Tom & Deb Payne (with their children Heather and Erica), Shivonne & Dan Holt (with their children Dan Jr, Michael, Christine and April), and Steve & Janice Payne (with their children Ashley and Tyler). Their family grew to include more gifts from God; their great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Chloe, Olivia, Devin Jr, Avery, Jared, Liam, Noah, Mason, Isabel, Korbyn, Maxx, Grayson, Cora, Micaela, Lucy, Nathaniel, Josie, Kaydence, Emelia, Aubree and Cynthia.

Floreen was the youngest of ten children and is survived by her brother Jim Beecroft and her sister-in-law Gwen Beecroft. She was predeceased by her sisters Ellen Forsyth, Joy Pearson and Lillian Tilley, and by her brothers Thomas, Charlie, Howard, Reg and Irvine Beecroft.

Murray is survived by his sister in law Anne Payne. He was the last surviving member of his family, being predeceased by his siblings Marjorie Stevenson, Eunice Agar, Floyd and Lloyd Payne and by his niece Gaile Fortney.

Throughout their lives, Floreen and Murray held steadfast in their belief of God and they lived their lives as true Christians. Floreen was a most loving and giving person who was forever displaying random acts of kindness. Her signature on all correspondence was “Smile, God Loves You” and she shared God’s love with everyone. She was the pianist at Glad Tidings Community Church for over 60 years and on Sunday afternoons she would play for the church services at Southwestern Regional Centre. Most of all, she was a kind and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be missed dearly.

Murray began his life as an entrepreneur at a young age, buying his first truck when he was too young to drive. He started a trucking business and hired a driver to haul sugar beets.  Later he would own his own car dealership called Golden Acres Car Sales and built a horse barn and tack shop called Golden Acres Stables & Saddle Shop.  He started his own construction business after working with his father and became a mentor to his sons who followed in their footsteps.

On Sundays you could always find Murray at Glad Tidings Community Church with his family unless he and Floreen were in Florida worshiping at a church there. He was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Please join family and friends for a Celebration of Life for Floreen and Murray on Sunday April 30, 2017.  Regular morning worship service at Glad Tidings Community Church begins at 10:30; luncheon at 12:30 followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m.  Please know that you are welcome to attend all of the events.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations toward the Children’s Ministries Renovation Project of Glad Tidings Community Church, P.O. Box 511 Blenheim Ontario  N0P 1A0.  Income tax receipts are available.

A private family interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery prior to their service.