Barbara Mendenhall

Barbara Emma (nee Elder) Mendenhall, 84, passed away on Saturday, September 13th at Bickford Senior Living in Crystal Lake, IL. Barbara was born in Decatur, IL on February 21st, 1941 to Fern (nee Dingman) and Earl Elder. She grew up in rural Mt. Auburn and graduated from Mt. Auburn High School in 1959. She married her high school sweetheart Larry Mendenhall on October 23rd, 1960.

Barbara worked for Franklin Life Insurance in Springfield, IL and then became a stay at home mom and homemaker after the birth of her first child in 1962. She was the mother of three children: Debra Sansom of Decatur, Dawn (John) O’Fallon of Crystal Lake, and Gregory Mendenhall, formerly of Blue Mound. She was also the proud grandmother of two grandchildren: Sean O’Fallon of Los Angeles, CA and Paige O’Fallon of Denver, CO.

Barbara loved gardening, reading, crossword puzzles and all of her pets through the years, particularly her cats and her collie dogs. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her son-in-law Gary Sansom and her son Gregory.  The family would especially like to thank the staff at Bickford Senior Living for their compassionate care of Barbara, whom they lovingly called “Barbie Doll”, during her nearly two year residence there.

Barbara will be laid to rest at Berea Church in rural Mt. Auburn in a private family service per her wishes. Memorials may be made in Barbara’s name to Purrfect Cat Rescue in Crystal Lake, IL.