Barbara "Bobbie" Payne

Barbara Joyce “Bobbie” Francois Payne, 90, of Vandalia, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 08, 2023 at Willowbrook Memory Care in Vandalia. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church, Vandalia with Pastor Joe Lawson officiating. Interment will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00-11:00 AM, Tuesday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Evans Public Library or Vandalia Community Schools (Memo: Forging our Future). Hohlt & File Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences can be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com Bobbie was born on Wednesday, May 17, 1933 at home in Deepwater, NJ, the daughter of Oscar and Mildred (Denning) Flath. She married William B. Francois in November of 1953 in Deepwater, NJ. They shared five beautiful children. They later divorced in 1974. She married Joseph E. Payne on August 17, 1998 in Gatlinburg, TN. Joe passed on Saturday, August 18, 2013. Bobbie spent many years as a homemaker while her children were young, always providing a loving and supportive home. Bobbie worked as a secretary in the X-Ray Department at Fayette County Hospital from 1967-1974. In 1974, she attended the Nursing Program at Kaskaskia Community College, graduating in 1975. Bobbie loved being a nurse and helping others. She continued her studies by enrolling in the Bachelor Program at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville School of Nursing, later graduating. She also completed her Master’s Degree at SIUE School of Nursing. After receiving her Nursing Degree, she was employed at the Hillsboro Hospital in Hillsboro, IL, from 1975-1977. She was then employed as a Correctional Nurse at the Vandalia Correctional Center from 1978-1991. In 1991, she began a position as the LPN Coordinator at Kaskaskia Community College. This position fulfilled Bobbie’s lifetime dream of teaching future nurses. Her love of art, painting, knitting, and books illuminated the wonderful life she led. She was her grandkids’ biggest fan, cheering at every sporting event, attending every Grandparent’s Day and special occasion. There was never a home more comfortable to visit; Grandma Bobbie always had the best ice-cream sundaes, root beer floats, swimming/birthday parties and cousin sleepovers. Bobbie’s love for everything Hallmark and Christmas led to many wonderful memories to all that loved her, family and friends alike. She is survived by her children, Denise & Ed Maroon of Monticello; Lori & Keith Moeller of Kinmundy; Bryan & Belinda Francois of Greenville; Amy & David Graumenz of Vandalia; and Renee & John Brink of Raeford, NC. As well as her step-children, Mark & Tammy Payne of Sarasota, FL; Carl & Janice Payne of Deland, FL; Gregory & Janet Payne of Wesley Chapel, FL; Richard Payne of Cape Girardeau, MO; and Robert Payne of Jackson, MO. She was blessed with many grandchildren. Ryan Maroon, Stephanie Maroon, and Jennifer (Joey) Shep. Shawna (Paul) Thole, Cody (Heather) Thompson, Krissie (Caleb) Kline. Regina (Chris) Albert and Jeremy Moeller. Joe Francois, Danielle (Josh) Mazander, Trisha (Ryan) Wachter, and Josh (Kayla) Tonnies. David Graumenz Jr., Nathan (Carlyn) Graumenz, Matthew (Angie) Graumenz, Dustin (Rachel) Graumenz, and Mitchell (MacKenzie) Graumenz. Dana (Shane) White, Tiffany Finch, Zachery (Meg) Eddy, Jacob Brink, Stacy Brink, Patricia Brink, and Joshua Brink. Bobbie is also survived by 41 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren, as well as many other loving extended family and friends and her canine companion, Koby. Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Joe; brothers, Oscar and Leonard Flath; sister, Loretta Boyce; step-daughter, Sandy Payne; step-grandson, Jonathon McKimmey; great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Finch; and great-great grandsons, Jeremy Finch and Malak Graumenz.

Barbara "Bobbie" Payne

May 17, 1933 - July 8, 2023