Linwood Payne

Linwood Eric “Woody” Payne, 68, of Chambersburg, went home to be with his Lord, on Saturday, February 17, 2024. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born Tuesday, August 2, 1955, in Waynesboro; he was a son of Louise E. Stouffer Payne and the late Eric James Payne.

Woody was a 1973 graduate of CASHS. He earned his Master’s degree in education from Mansfield State College, now Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. He was employed as a teacher with Wellsboro School District in Wellsboro, PA, New Covenant Academy in Mansfield, PA and the Chambersburg Area School District from which he retired in March of 2020. He was also employed as Youth and Music Director/Pastor at Church of the New Covenant in Mansfield, PA, and Christian Life Assembly of God in Chambersburg.

Woody was an active member and key contributor to the community. He worked for the YMCA summer camp (which he called “Daddy Daycare”), loved being a substitute teacher and volunteered as a CASHS marching band parent. He was an accomplished musician and participated in the performing arts by directing or playing in bands including the TKG Trio and Loose Screws. He also created and produced the Cumberland Valley Sampler (a local musical variety show which had 25 shows from 2005 – 2022). He attended LifePoint Church in Chambersburg where he served as pianist. He enjoyed giving piano lessons, watching old TV shows and handing out two dollar bills to kids while testing their geography skills.

In addition to his mother, Woody is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen S. Clever Payne, whom he married on June 12, 1976; five children, Melinda Harris and her husband, Kenneth, of Chambersburg, Ryan Payne and his wife, Sara, of Huntington, IN, Meredith Payne of Marietta, GA, Melody Payne-Alonzo and her husband, Justin, of Napa, CA, and Miranda Payne of Marietta, GA; one granddaughter, Isabella GraceAnne Payne; and two siblings, Stuart Payne and his wife, Barb, of Fayetteville, and Cynthia Campbell and her husband, John, of Oakdale, PA.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at LifePoint Church, 339 Lincoln Way E., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Rev. Randy Rhodes will officiate. The family will receive family and friends from 12:45 – 1:45 PM prior to the service and also following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chambersburg Area School District c/o Chambersburg Band or Glee Club, 511 S. 6th St. Chambersburg, 17201.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg, PA. Condolences and memories may be shared at geiselfuneralhome.com.