Janet Marie Payne

Janet Marie Payne passed away on August 17, 2024 at her home in Blanchard. She was born on April 12, 1940 to Lavern and Ersal (Mockerman) Main on a rural farm near Winn, Michigan. Her childhood was spent on the family farm, which remains in the Main family today. She attended the Delo one room school on Littlefield Road and graduated from Blanchard High School in 1957.
Janet was baptized in 1956 and was the member of the Church of God in Blanchard for many years and was currently a member of the United by Faith Christian Church in Wyman.
In 1957, she married Dale Payne. Together, they raised five daughters: Theresa Payne of Blanchard, Shelley Frantz (Jim Whaley) of Perry, Linda (Tony) Perry of Blanchard, Kimberly Payne of Prescott, and Brenda (Michael) Swahn of Niceville, Florida. She has 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
In 1966, Janet graduated from the Alma-Mt Pleasant School of Practical Nursing, and later attended Ferris State University, graduating in 1981 with an associate's degree in allied science and nursing. She also attended Mid-Michigan Community College and held and EMT license for several years, and later studied management and physical assessment at Lansing Community College for her work with the Department of Corrections.
Janet worked as an LPN and then as an RN for many years at Central Michigan Community Hospital. She loved working in the Emergency Room and did so for many years. While going to school she also worked part-time at Pleasant Manor doing chart audits, and for Upjohn doing home health care. She worked for a short period of time at the Mt Pleasant Regional Center as building director, and for the last eleven years of her career, she worked for the Department of Corrections as a nursing Supervisor at the Ionia Maximum Security Prison and the Michigan Reformatory. In 1996 she retired and returned home to care for her aging parents until their passing.
Janet loved helping others and nursing. But more than that, she loved her five daughter and her grandchildren. She was blessed to have two wonderful brothers, John (Jeannie) Main and Lewis (Darlene) Main, both of Blanchard, and a great sister, Carol Maxfield of Wyman. She always stressed being good to your family and watching out for each other.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, James Main and Dale Payne.
She prepared this writing long before her passing in order to leave some final words to her family: cry if you must, but don't cry long. I had a wonderful life, and I leave it in the belief for the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stay strong and rely on each other. I love you Theresa, Shelley, Linda, Kimberly and Brenda. Love for my brothers John and Lewis who made my life so much easier. To my wonderful sister, Carol, who has always been there with love, help, food and encouragement. I couldn't have asked for more. Love to my church family who have meant so much to me over the years. Stay strong in the faith and watch over my children while I'm gone. Love you, Joshua, Caleb, Jonathan, Katelyn, Andrew, Isaac, Jaelyn, Rachael, Abigail, Lily, Brianna, Logan and Marissa. I leave you all in God's tender care. Mom.
A funeral service will take place on Friday August 23rd at 11AM, at Blanchard Church of God with Pastor Jon Welch and Pastor Don Needham officiating. Visitation will take place on Thursday August 22nd from 5 to 7 PM at Blanchard Church of God and again one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the family. Envelopes will be available at the church.