Marilyn Janette (Payne) Brown

Marilyn Janette Brown, age 74, of Pittsfield, IL passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Eastside Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield, IL. She was born June 25, 1950, in Camp Lejeune, NC to George Scott and Mary Lois Criss Payne. Janette married Kent Brown July 21, 1990, at their home in Pittsfield and he survives.

Janette was a 1968 graduate of Pittsfield High School and went to Kansas City Airline School. She was a member of Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene. Over the years, Janette worked at Eastside as Activity Director, Cummings Foods and for Dr. Mark Meleski before becoming a full-time babysitter caring for all her grandchildren. Janette enjoyed cooking for her family, and they especially loved her soups. She was an avid reader and after Kent covered their deck, she found great solace in spending time outside delving into her favorite books. She enjoyed her flower gardens, was a collector of chicken décor, and in earlier years, she enjoyed vacations, camping and Nascar. Janette was a selfless woman who was fun and loved to laugh and was always enjoyable to be around and treasured having a good time with friends and family.

Janette is survived by her husband of 34 years, Kent Brown; mother, Lois Payne; son, Marc (Jacque) Lumley of Barry, IL; daughter, Misha (Joe) Kirby of Barry, IL; grandchildren, Paige (Chandler) Sappington, Zaden (Trinity Reed) Wassell, Preston Lumley, Logan Lumley, Chace Lumley, Olivia Moyer, Justin Simpson, and Madison (Trevor) Martin; step-children, Cherolyn (Ed) Kattelman and Tim Brown; sisters, Linda (David) Sheppard and Jill (Rick) Myers; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and her special chihuahua, Gabi.

She was preceded in death by her father, George Scott Payne; and son, Matt Lumley.

Cremation rites have been accorded, and Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Memorials are suggested to be made to Burbridge Cemetery. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn Janette (Payne) Brown, please visit our floral store.