Carolyn Payne

Carolyn Ione (Shinn) Payne, a warm and loving woman who greeted many of the Illinois Valley residents, was welcomed into her eternal home on Saturday morning, October 24, 2015 at Pleasant View.

A celebration of Carolyn?s life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Christ Episcopal Church in Ottawa with Rev. Mark Geisler, Pastor officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Carolyn, born September 15, 1942, in Des Moines, IA to Amos and Ione (Towne) Shinn, attended school in Iowa, graduating from Adel High School. Carolyn reveled in the simple pleasures of rural life remaining in Iowa while attending business and technical college. Carolyn married Roger Payne, the love of her life, on March 22, 1979 in Waukee, IA.

Roger?s employment eventually led them to Ottawa. Carolyn often said that it was in Ottawa that her life began to blossom, and blossom it did. Carolyn fully embraced the city of Ottawa by establishing, owning and operating the Newcomer Greeting Service in Ottawa, Marseilles and Grand Ridge. She spent many years visiting the newcomers, newlyweds and new parents enthusiastically returning the happiness and hospitality she experienced in the area.

Carolyn continued her care for the Ottawa community by returning to college at IVCC in pursuit of her nursing credentials. She went on to serve at Pleasant View for over 20 years. Carolyn cared for Ottawa?s most vulnerable population with her whole heart. She genuinely and lovingly reached out to the residents, their families and the entire Pleasant View community. She was playfully referred to as Nurse Payne.

Carolyn was active in the Ottawa Newcomer?s Club, the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, the Ottawa Garden Club, the Ottawa and Illinois Valley YMCA and two Tai Chi groups in Peru.

Her love of life, her care for others, and her fondness for those who were often overlooked was apparent to all whose lives she touched. Her bright and loving spirit, that sparkle in her beautiful brown eyes and vivacious personality will be missed by all of us who were blessed to call her our friend.

Carolyn is survived by her 3 sons, Scot (Tami) Beckman, of Las Vegas, NV, James (Rosella) Tiedeman, of Glendale, CA, and Brian (Dawn) Payne of Carlisle, Iowa, 6 grandchildren, Christopher, Patric, Tabitha, Jessa, Nicholas, and Jessica, a brother, Richard Shinn of Estes Park, CO and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Roger on July 29, 2006.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Christ Episcopal Church, Pleasant View Chapel, or Pet Project.