C. Payne Hackworth

C. Payne Hackworth, 84, of Findlay and formerly of Vanlue, was reunited with his family on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, at the Blanchard Valley Hospital shortly after contracting COVID-19.
On Jan. 4, 1937, Payne was born in Paintsville, Ky., the oldest of 10 children of the late Ransom and Elva (Tackett) Hackworth. As a family, they moved to the Alvada/Vanlue area when he was only two years old. He graduated from Vanlue High School in the class of 1955.
Shortly following graduation, Payne met a young lady from Flat Gap, Ky., Virginia Ealey, who was visiting family in Carey. From there, the story goes that Payne “wore out four sets of tires to find a biscuit maker from Kentucky,” driving back and forth to see Virginia, until they made it official, getting married on Aug. 3, 1957. Together they shared 60 years of marriage and lovingly raised four sons, Dwight, Duane, Nathan and Darwin. She preceded him in death on July 31, 2017.
Payne started his working career at the Swan Rubber Company, where he worked for eight years. He then went to Atlas Crankshaft in Fostoria, where he worked for 28 years, until his retirement in 1992. He worked his way up to being an inspector, always keeping everyone’s safety in mind. So much so, Payne was the perfect choice to be the head of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Safety Union for 17 years.
During summers, Payne and Virginia spent as much time up at their cottage on Lake Erie as possible. Up there, he especially enjoyed taking the boat out on the water to cast a line, catching fish for Virginia to cook for their family. In his younger days, he also enjoyed coon hunting.
After his retirement, Payne and Virginia became snowbirds, flying south to Fort Myers, Fla., every winter for 20 plus years.
Inheriting a green thumb from his parents, Payne and Virginia planted a large vegetable garden every year and they always planted loads of flowers to decorate their home. He also enjoyed woodworking over the years, making small pieces of furniture to give as gifts for family and friends.
A Kentucky boy at heart, Payne loved bluegrass music all of his life and he especially loved listening to his son, Dar’s, bluegrass gospel bands. Payne never fully recovered from Dar’s unexpected death in 2005 and his family takes comfort in knowing that Payne is now at peace in Heaven, eating Virginia’s biscuits and listening to Dar’s bluegrass music.
There was never a dull moment with Payne around. No matter the occasion, somehow he had a story to share and you will never know how much of the story was true. He had several favorite spots to shoot the bull: the elevator, the Wild Cat, the barbershop and so many more. He will truly be missed by his beloved family and friends.
Left to cherish his memory are his three sons, twins Duane (Lisa) Hackworth of Vanlue and Dwight (Brenda) Hackworth of Arlington; and Nathan (Betsy) Hackworth of Findlay; daughter-in-law, Jill Hackworth; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way; five siblings, Wendell (Connie) Hackworth of Wausau, Wisc.; Doug (Rosie) Hackworth of Vanlue; Charlene (Don) Steininger of Findlay; Winford “Coly” (Rita) Hackworth of Carey; and Erma (Jesse) Cox of Vanlue; a brother-in-law, Jerry Hall of Toledo; and oodles of nieces and nephews.
Including his wife and parents, Payne was preceded in death by his son, Darwin L. Hackworth; four siblings, Alice Maynard, Lowell “Cotton” Hackworth, Marietta Hall and Eldon Hackworth.
His family will greet friends from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, Carey, where masonic services will be held at 2 p.m. Services honoring his life will also be held there at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, with his first cousin, the Rev. Bill Mahan officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Bloom Cemetery in Vanlue.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Patient Services of Findlay or Bridge Hospice and they may be sent to the funeral home.
Condolences may be shared with the family via www.StombaughBatton.com.