PAYNE, John - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Veedersburg – A Fountain County man was killed and two companions seriously injured in a near-headon auto crash Sunday morning 1.2 miles west of here on US 136. John Payne, 30 of Rt 3, Veedersburg was fatally injured in the two-car mishap. He was riding in an auto being drive by 34-year-old James Ratliff of Rt 2,  Veedersburg, was fatally injured in the two-car mishap. He was riding in an auto being driven by 34-year-old James Ratliff of Rt 2 Veedersburg.  Ratliff was reported in “poor” condition at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, Ill, late Sunday night. Another passenger in the Ratliff car, 40-year-old Austin Grey of Rt 3, Veedersburg was listed in “serious” condition in the intensive care unit at St. Elizabeth. The accident occurred according to State Trooper Don Woods of Williamsport when a car being driven by James Meeker, 34, of Veedersburg came upon a slow-moving vehicle. Meeker slammed on his brakes, skidded across the center line and struck the Ratliff car nearly headon, police reported.  Meeker sustained broken ribs in the mishap, according to Trooper Woods.  Mr. Payne was a native of Stone Bluff, born Nov 23, 1936 to Kyle and Bertha Hayman Payne. He attended school at Stone Bluff and Veedersburg HS. On June 11, 1954 he married at Danville, Ill to Rhea Lyons, who survives. Also surviving are his parents; three children at home, James L. an Steven and Brenda; four brothers, Reuben of Covington, LT of Newtown, Jahvan of Danville, Ill and Tom of Tampa, Fla and a grandmother, Mrs. Martha Hayman of Covington.  Mr. Payne had lived the last 7 years on Rt 3 near Hillsboro. He was a foreman at National Homes at Lafayette and also employed at Bohn Aluminum Co. at Danville. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Crumley-Williams Funeral Home in Hillsboro with Revs. Raymond Buskirt and Henry Stidham officiating and burial in Waynetown Masonic Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Tuesday. – thanks to Adina

John Payne, 35, of Rt 2, Veedersburg, was fatally injured in the two-car mishap.  He was a passenger an auto driven by 34 year-old James Ratcliff of Rt. 2. Veedersburg.  He died at 3:55 a.m. at St. Elizabeth in Danville. Ill of severe throat lacerations.

Ratcliff, who suffered severe lacerations of the head, was released from St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, Ill. Sunday where another passenger, Austin Grey, 40, of Rt. 3 Veedersburg is listed In critical condition in the intensive care unit at  St. Elizabeth.  Grey suffers from a possible punctured lung and lacerations of the head.

The accident occurred, according to Indiana State Police, when a car driven by James Meeker, 34 of Veedersburg, came upon slow moving vehicle.  Meeker slammed on his brakes, skidded across, the center line and struck the Ratcliff car nearly head on, police reported.  State Police post reported this morning that Meeker was not injured in the accident.

While seat belts were installed in the Ratcliff auto, neither of the three persons involved were wearing them.  It

was the opinion of the investigating officer, Trooper Don Wood, that had seat belts been used the injuries would have been less severe, and the fatality might possibility have been prevented.

Payne was a native of near Stone Bluff, born Nov. 23, 1936, to Kyle and Bertha Hayman Payne.  He attended school at Stone·Bluff and Veedersburg High School.  On June 11, 1954 he was married at Danville, Ill., to Rhea Lyons, who survives.

Also surviving are his parents; three children at home, James L., Steven and Brenda; four brothers, Reuben of· Covington,  L.T. of Newtown, Jahavan of Danville, Ill., and Tom of Tampa, Fla., and grandmother, Mrs. Martha Hayman of Covington.

He had lived the last seven years on Rt. 3 near Hillsboro.  He was a foreman at National Homes at Lafayette and was also employed at (B???) Aluminum Co. at Danville.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Crumley-Williams Funeral Home in Hillsboro with Rev. Raymond Buskirt and Rev. Henry Stidham officiating.  Burial was in the Waynetown Masonic Cemetery.