Michael D. Payne

Michael David Payne, 71, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away December 1, 2025, after a long, courageous battle with cancer and Parkinson’s disease. The son of James Harold Payne and Ruby Childers Payne, Mike was born ten minutes after his best friend and identical twin, Matthew, who never let Mike forget who was the older brother. Mike was a lifelong resident of Indiana, graduating from Lawrence Central High School in 1972. During his early work years, he was employed by Engineering Research and the Jenn-Air Corporation. He had a 36-year career at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, retiring as a computer systems analyst in 2019. Through his twin, Mike met Carol Bowron, his future wife and love of his life for the past 47 years. A miracle entered their life with the birth of son, Alex, in 2001. Perhaps a second miracle was Mike’s beating cancer long enough to see Alex graduate from Purdue University and begin his career. Mike became an avid golfer as a teenager, playing often with his twin and other friends. For many years, the perfect start to his day was an early morning round of golf. He was thrilled when Alex took up the game so they could be golfing buddies. Mike enjoyed all kinds of sports. Ever the supportive parent, he attended all of Alex’s basketball and volleyball games—and practices—throughout grade school, middle school and high school. At family get togethers he enjoyed talking about sports with his nieces and nephews. Mike followed the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts, IU basketball, and the Cincinnati Reds. He was always the loving and devoted spouse, even sharing Carol’s interest in genealogy by accompanying her to cemeteries, libraries and government buildings for research. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Carol; beloved son, Alex Payne; siblings, Matthew (Terry Kane) and Margaret Payne; aunt, Reba Payne; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, December 5, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service at 12 noon at Shirley Brothers Thompson Road Chapel, 3333 East Thompson Road. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and/or the IU Health Simon Cancer Center for helping Mike. The family would like to thank Dr. Theodore Logan and the staff of the I. U. Simon Cancer Center for helping Mike.

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Michael D. Payne

June 13, 1954 - December 1, 2025