Sally J. Payne

1968 - 2026

Sally J. Payne
Born: September 29, 1968 in Kewanee, IL
Died: January 16, 2026 in Peoria, IL
Sally J. Payne, 57, of Peoria, formerly of Neponset, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Sally was born September 29, 1968, in Kewanee, the daughter of Cecil A. and Carol J. (Jantzen) Dahl. Sally attended Neponset High School, graduating with the class of 1986. Sally attended Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois obtaining her associate's degree in applied science. She received a bachelor's degree in nursing from the Mennonite College of Nursing, Bloomington. She obtained a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Sally married Barry D. Payne on April 3, 1993, at the First United Methodist Church, Peoria; he survives. Sally is also survived by four children, Madeline Payne, St. Louis, MO, Jillian Payne, Peoria, Emerson Payne, Peoria, Jordan Williams, Peoria; one foster child; a sister, Stacy (Tom) Belski, La Salle; sister in law, Rachel Payne, Fort Myers Beach, FL; nephews, Ethan and Nikolas Belski, La Salle; nieces, Jackie (Sean) Grogan, Syracuse, NY, Kate (James) Lovett, Tallahassee, FL; and her father-in-law, Jerry Payne, Fort Myers Beach, FL.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her mother-in-law, Donna Payne.
After working as an RN at St Francis in Peoria, Illinois, William Backus Memorial Hospital, in Norwich, Connecticut, and a nursing home in Peshtigo Wisconsin; she returned to college and became a Family Nurse Practitioner employed at Oak Creek, Wisconsin. After becoming a mom, she decided to stay home and raise the children. She was a Mary Kay sales director. She managed the Lancome counter at Bergner's in Peoria. Sally was currently working at Ulta in Peoria.
She was a woman whose hands were rarely still, always busy crafting beauty in myriad forms. Crocheting and quilting were not just hobbies for Sally; they were expressions of her love. Sally's artistic talents knew no bounds. She enjoyed making custom t-shirts. Basketweaving and watercolor painting were among her many pursuits. Music was Sally's soul's language, and she shared this gift generously, as a previous member of her church's worship band and the children's choir. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Sally's talent for doing makeup revealed her ability to see and enhance the beauty in others. Sally was always taking care of those around her.
Sally's legacy is one of love, artistry, and devotion.
Visitation will be from 12:00 - 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church, Kewanee. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the church. Pastor Haley Hausman will officiate. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, Neponset. Memorials may be made to the Center for Prevention of Abuse, Peoria or the Peoria Humane Society. Online condolences for Sally's family may be left at golnickschuenemanfh.com.