Former Shelby Mayor Doris Payne-Biglin passes away at 91
By David Jacobs
Shelby City Hall on Thursday confirmed the passing of former Shelby Mayor Doris Payne-Biglin who served from 1996 through 2001.
She died on April 2 at age 91.
New: flags lowered to honor her, per Ohio Governor
Payne-Biglin was Shelby's first female mayor.
"Doris committed much of her life to making Shelby a better place for all," states her official obituary posted on the Barkdull Funeral Home website. "Her enthusiasm for local causes and her willingness to lend a helping hand inspired many."
Shelby's current mayor, Steve Schag, said on Thursday that the city administration had been informed of Payne-Biglin’s passing.
He had known her for many years.
"We always had a good conversation," said Schag, who is Shelby's longest-serving mayor, holding the post since Dec. 31, 2014. "She was always very supportive. Needless to say, she loved the city of Shelby."
"She served as a councilmember as well as a mayor," Schag said, adding that he had served on Shelby City Council around the mid-1990s when Payne-Biglin was mayor and that he had also lived on the same street as her.
"You hate to lose one of your friends and citizens," Schag said of her passing. “She was a fine lady.”
Mayor Schag said he was preparing further remarks in her memory, which he plans to deliver at the Shelby City Council meeting on April 7.
“The City of Shelby mourns the loss of former Mayor Doris Payne-Biglin," the municipal government said in a social media post Friday. "Mayor Payne-Biglin served as mayor from 1996-2001. May she rest in peace."
You can read Payne-Biglin’s official obituary here as posted on the Barkdull Funeral Home website.
Doris Payne-Biglin is shown below in a 2014 photo on the far left with three other Shelby mayors — Marilyn John, Steve Schag, and Garland Gates. (Photo city of Shelby via X)
