George Thomas Payton, 38 years, 6 months, 4 days, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 11 :35 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2008, in Jefferson County.

He was born in Highland. Park in Cook County, a son of Charles David and Barbara F. (Schoeppel) Payton.

He married Angela Richardson at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Temple in Mt. Vernon on Sept. 17, 2005.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with the Rev. Ron Reynolds officiating. Motorcycles are welcome. Interment will follow at South Hickory Hill Cemetery in Jefferson County. Members of Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 will conduct full miltitary honors at the cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.

George is survived by his wife, Angela Payton of Mt. Vernon; son, Charles Thomas Payton of Benton; two daughters, Kalia Nicole Payton of Wasilla, Alaska: and Racheal Payton of Mt. Vernon; a brother: Dan Payton and wife Sammie of Mt. Vernon; a sister, Sherrie Morris of Mt. Vernon; and seven nieces and nephews.

His parents and one brother, Kenneth Dean preceded him in death.

George served as an Aviation Structural Mechanic in the U.S. Navy, was formerly employed by Precision Engineering Company in Mt. Vernon and was a member of A.B.A.T.E. (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education).

For those who wish, memorials may be given to the charity of the donor's choice and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care: of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.