Sylvia A. Payne, age 82, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, February 29, 2016 and returned home to the Lord. She was born on August 20, 1933 in the town of Cassel to the late William and Dorothy (Lepak) Lang. Throughout the years Sylvia worked at Marathon Electric, Wausau Insurance and Kresge's as a baker and cook. She was very passionate about gardening and enjoyed camping and anything with nature. Sylvia also enjoyed traveling. She was a very caring, giving person who always had a smile on her face and always lent a caring, giving hand. Sylvia adored her grandkids and spent her life raising and caring for her two adopted children. She also had a special place in her heart for her cocker spaniel "Lady" who was her pride and joy. Sylvia was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Survivors include her ex-husband: John Payne; two children: Michele (Rick) Hedges, Tomahawk, and Michael Payne, Merrill; four grandchildren: Amber Coey (special friend Cody Espetia), West Bend, Jesse (April) Coey, Ian Coey and Kobe Coey, all of Tomahawk; four great-grandchildren: Destinee Coey, Shawano, Ayden Coey, Brianna Coey and Nathan Coey, all of Tomahawk; two brothers: Herbert (Shirley) Lang and Wayne (Janice) Lang, all of Marathon; three sisters: Vivian (Howard) Jeske, Pat Nowack and Jeannie (Dale) Sauter, all of Marathon; and one sister-in-law: Sandy Lang, of Marathon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Dorothy Lang and four brothers, Gary, Bobby, David and Lavern Lang. A Memorial Mass for Sylvia will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, March 4, 2016 at St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church. Father Chris Kemp will officiate.

Waid Funeral Home
Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin
www.waidfuneral.com.