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John B. Payne, Dearborn, Michigan
It is with great sadness that the family of John B. Payne announces his unexpected passing on March 6, 2019.
John’s Michigan and Pennsylvania elder law practice, Garrison LawHouse, PC was established in 1983 in Michigan after receiving his Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law. While John was a full-service practitioner and litigator, his passion was for elder law. In 1988 John received a Master of Laws in Taxation from Wayne State University Law School.
John was the chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan 2015-2016 and the chair of the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Elder Law Committee 2012-2014. He served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Elder Law Task Force 2013-2014. He was the author of West’s Michigan Probate Manual and Counseling the Elderly Client in Michigan plus numerous articles and seminar manuals.
He was one of the early members of NAELA and he spoke at many conferences.
John appealed many criminal, civil rights, and tax cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
With dedication to community involvement, John was chair of the board of Fairlane Community Mental Health Centre and led Fairlane in a successful merger to create Lincoln Behavioral Services, a community mental health agency. He was also instrumental in establishing the Dearborn Public Schools Education Foundation to fund innovative programs throughout Dearborn Public Schools. John served as treasurer and chair of the Foundation for more than 10 years.
John is survived by his wife Roberta Mau; son Andrew Payne (Kimberly); daughters Marcella Brown, Piper Payne, and Pauli Payne; four grandchildren; brother Howard Payne; and sisters Nancy Rupert (Jim) and Mary Ann Mc Donald (William).
A memorial service is being planned for a later date. Condolences may be sent to Garrison LawHouse, PC, 1800 Grindley Park St., Suite 6, Dearborn, MI 48124.