COLUMBIA CITY – Payton Scott Tenney, 13, passed away Oct. 2, 2016, at his Columbia City home. Born March 22, 2003, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Richard W. Tenney and Ann Earnhart-Tenney. He grew up in Columbia City, attending First Church of God preschool and Northern Heights Elementary, and was an eighth-grader at Indian Springs Middle School, where he played basketball. He attended Broadway Christian Church in Fort Wayne and was active in the church’s youth group. Survivors include his father, Rich (and spouse Shannon) Tenney, Fort Wayne; his mother, Ann Earnhart-Tenney, Columbia City; brothers Owen and Briggs Tenney; sister Zizi Tenney; grandparents: Judy Earnhart, South Whitley; N. Fay and Suzanne Earnhart, Kimmell; Robert and Georgia Tenney, Pierceton; and Vince and Marcia Campbell, Fort Wayne; great-grandparents: Kap Becker, Houston, Texas; Ralph Thomas, Fort Wayne; Rosemary Piebenga, South Whitley; Lois Dufendach, Fort Wayne; and John and Mary Campbell, Fort Wayne; uncles and aunts: James Tenney, Leslie and Troy Stapleton, and Candice and Brandon Campbell; and numerous cousins. He was preceded by great-grandparents, Woodrow and Goldie Tenney, Richard Becker, Edwina Thomas, Owen C. and Kathryn Earnhart, Bernard Piebenga and Tom Dufendach. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Church of God, 1200 Depoy Drive, Columbia City, with Pastor Ryan Cochran officiating. Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery. Visitation from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, and an hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. ***** Memorials to Broadway Christian Church’s youth group program. To read Payton’s life story or to send family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com.
