Janis Payne

Janis Roberta "Bobbie" Payne, age 84, of Shelby, died Monday afternoon, October 20, 2025 at Millcreek Nursing and Rehab in Galion. Her death follows complications of a stroke.



Bobbie was born August 13, 1941 in Shelby, she was the daughter of the late Robert Paul and Lola Irene (Sims) Graham. A 1959 graduate of Shelby High School, she then attended Mansfield General School of Nursing graduating in 1962. For over 30 years, Bobbie was a nurse at Shelby Hospital and then spent 12 years as a nurse for Dr. John McHugh from where she retired.



On April 27, 1963 Bobbie married Thomas Edwin "Huff" Payne and together they raised their family and celebrated many fun adventures together. They loved traveling, having visited all 50 states, Europe five different times, and the beach nearly every year. Many camping excursions took them to various places, including two big trips out west. Bobbie did all these things while remaining an avid reader, had once loved flower gardening, and enjoyed the occasional trip to the casinos.



Above all things, her love for her entire family- her husband, children, and grandchildren- remained at the top of her priority list. She retired only to take up a full-time job of watching her grandchildren- a job she truly loved. And although not necessarily a sports fan, she was a grandkids fan. So, anything they were active and involved with she was present for.



In addition to her husband of 62 years, Huff, Bobbie is survived by her children: Russell (Jennifer) Payne of Elyria, Kyle (Brian) Fenner of Shelby, and Karol (David) Keiser of Shelby; grandchildren: Audrey (Brandon) Woodrum, Graham Payne, Grant Fenner, Jordan Fenner, Miranda Keiser, Elizabeth Keiser, and Grace Keiser; great grandchildren: Thomas Woodrum and Amelia and Kaysen Linger; her sister: Pam Weaver; sister-in-law: Stefanie (Ed) Triplett; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Sandy Nicholson, Melba Armstrong, and Kyle Utz.



Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 5-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where a wake service will immediately follow at 7 pm. Bobbie's Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 11 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby with Fr. Chris Mileski celebrating the Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org/donate).



Condolences may be left on Bobbie's obituary on the funeral home's website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook Page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).