Barbara Howard

Barbara Howard, 74, of Kirkwood, IL, went to her heavenly reward on January 17, 2014, after a brief stay at Monmouth Nursing Home.

Barbara was the first born of Robert L. and Jane (McKelvey) Wickline. She attended Kirkwood schools and graduated as valedictorian of the Kirkwood High School Class of 1957. Barbara attended Western Illinois University for a brief period before marrying her high school sweetheart Russell E. Howard. Barbara did not participate in organized religion during her adult life. From her early teachings she lived the life of the most devout Christian.

Along with being the ultimate wife and mother, she worked outside the home for many years. First she worked in the office of the Gamble warehouse. Barbara then worked briefly in the admissions office at Monmouth College. Finally she worked twenty plus years for the University of Illinois Extension Service in the Warren County office, and later in the Macomb Regional Office, retiring in 1999. Barb served multiple terms on the Board of Warren Achievement and was currently a member of the 708 Board. After retiring she cared for her mother who was in declining health until her death. She continued to work on an as needed basis in Warren, Henderson, and McDonough counties. Barb was active in the local AFSME Retirees group and volunteered at OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth, as long as her health allowed. She served twelve years at the treasurer for the Village of Kirkwood.

Barb is survived by her husband, Russell E. Howard of Kirkwood, three sons; Jeffrey S. (Mona Brown) Howard of Galesburg, IL, Steven J. Howard and Charles A. "Tony" Howard both of Monmouth, one brother Richard (Betty) Wickline of Ocalla, FL., two sisters; Sandra Cook (Gordon Rhodes) of East Peoria, IL., and Cynthia Wickline of Colorado Springs, Co. Also surviving is her half-brother Randy (Adriene) Wickline of Roseville, IL, and ten nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Wickline, and her sister Peggy Sue Wickline.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at the McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory in Monmouth. Her family will be present to receive friends prior to the service from 9:30 -11:00 a.m. Barbara always believed memorial flowers to be a waste; she asked instead that memorials be left to Warren Achievement Residential Program or the Kirkwood Senior Citizens Group.