Daniel E. Payne "Danny", age 75, of Leitchfield, passed away peacefully Sunday, (November 24, 2024) at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 24, 1949 in McQuady, KY, the son of the late Henry and Mary Catherine Coomes Payne.

Danny proudly served as a KY State Police Officer and retired after 20 years protecting and serving the citizens of Kentucky. He was also on The Greater Hardin County Drug/Meth Task Force. He was an Army veteran, serving during the Viet Nam Conflict. Before his health declined, Danny enjoyed riding horses, and riding motorcycles. He loved nature and enjoyed fishing, turtle hunting, visiting the mountains, and the smell of fresh cut hay. He was always a man with a story. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Hinton Payne, on July 5, 1969; and together they raised a family, whom he loved dearly. Danny was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He will be missed deeply by his family, and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Payne; four children, Scott (Samantha) Payne of McQuady, Trisha (Benjamin Dale) Flood of Elizabethtown, Lori (Raymie) Bland of Hardinsburg, and Lisa (Robbie) Alexander of Clarkson; ten grandchildren, Dalton (Felicia) Payne, Hunter Payne, Christopher Flood, Nicholas Flood, Dylan Flood, Luke Bland, Megan Bland, Clayton (Tabitha) Young, Sarah (Jeremiah) Embry, and Hannah (Dustin) Goostree; five great-grandchildren, Sophia Day, MacKenzie Payne, Owen Young, Warren Goostree, and soon to arrive, Ada Goostree; and his siblings, Jimmy Payne, Anita (Roger) Gossett, Ruth Board, and Phillip (Pat) Payne.

Other than his parents, Henry and Mary Catherine Payne, he was preceded in death by his brother, Billy Payne.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, (November 30, 2024) at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. Sinoj (Paul) Pyndath, HGN will be officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Church cemetery.

Visitation will be at the Dermitt Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and at the St. Joseph Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. Saturday until time of services.