Obit: Carol Jean Payne, age 78.

Carol Jean Payne, age 78, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Hillside Country Living, Bryan, Ohio. A graduate of South High School, Columbus, Ohio. Carol went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from West Liberty College and earned her master’s degree from Defiance College. She was a teacher at Four County Joint Vocational School, Archbold, Ohio for 26 years.Carol was born on October 25, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Lloyd Rodney and Loretta Jean (Buckley) Wheeler. She married James R Payne on June 20, 1980, and he survives. Carol was the best thing that happened in the life of her husband, Jim and she was an irreplaceable part of her whole family. She watched over her brothers, cared for her parents, spoiled her nieces and was a lifelong friend to her girl cousins. Everyone loved Carol for her presence, her giving nature and her sense of fun. She also had a lifelong passion for Bassett hounds, decorating and improving her and Jim’s home, and visiting dead United States Presidents. She was a lifelong teacher, improving and enriching the lives of her students and opening up for them the “story” in history. In addition to her husband Carol is survived by her brothers, Robert Wheeler, Paul (Susan) Wheeler, Harley (Cindy) Wheeler; nieces and nephews, Robert Wheeler Jenny Garner, Joe (Mary) Wheeler, Danny Wheeler, Quincy (Chelsea) Wheeler, Noelle Wheeler, Nadia Wheeler, Machia (Elizabeth) Wheeler, Elizabeth Wheeler, Sonora (Peter) Detrow and Eden Wheeler. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Wheeler. Visitation for Carol will be held Monday, March 16, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.at Krill Funeral Home, 860 W. Mulberry, Bryan, Ohio. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Rev. Harley Wheeler officiating. Interment will follow in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions in honor of Carol may be given to the Williams County Humane Society or Shop with a Cop. Condolences may be sent to and the online register signed at www.krillfuneralservice.com.