On Tuesday July 30, 2019, Lucile Ethel (Kortuem)Payton, of Leroy passed away at age 84 at Sunset Manor Nursing Home, Waverly, Ks.

A warmhearted wife, mother and friend to all who crossed paths with her. Few would disagree, her fondness and friendliness was infectious.  Her desire to see her daily encounters with folks smile or at best chuckle. Oh and let us not forget, her snacks and sweets at the door as you departed her home.

One of ten children, Lucile was the twin of Cecile.  She never missed the opportunity to proclaim her birthright.   She loved all her sisters but the undeniable bond of her twin is and always will be unbreakable.

Lucile followed her husband, Dave across the United States during his United States Air Force career.  Each base station transfer required her to pack up her life and children, move and reset.  She did this tirelessly and with commitment.  Canning, cooking and crafting one moment while at the same time she found outside employment at each transfer.  From working for Howard Hughes at Hughes Aircraft to doing electronic technology in its infant stages and even working at the puppet factory in Burlington, no job was good unless it was done right and provided for the family.

Lucile's passion included her love of butterflys, hummingbirds and Angels.   She just knew they brought her a voice of calm and left her with a smile. She leaves her best friend and confidant, "Bee" who waits  in angst with his leash for the moments in time when they meet again that she can take him for a walk someday.

Lucile's husband, Dave, preceded her in death on April 8, 2001. She was also preceded by a son, David Lloyd Payton; two sisters, Elizabeth Laufer and Velma Owens; and two brothers, Joseph and Thomas Kortuem.

She is survived by her daughter, Carman Simon and husband Michael, of LeRoy; four grandchildren, Jerad Simon, Jason Simon and wife Angela, Stephanie (Payton) Farley and husband Joe, and Kelly Payton; six great-grandchildren; her twin-sister, Cecile Tescallo, of San Rafael, CA; and five other sisters, Mary Wise, Martha Kahler, Josie Apted, and Joyce Kortuem, all of Sacramento, CA, and Dorothy Stephens of Michigan; a number of nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 5, 2019, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery northwest of LeRoy.

The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society (Topeka) and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.