Barbara Jean Howard

Born December 20, 1946 in Pekin to Roy W. and Lillian (Willock) Saunders, she married John Howard in March 27, 1988 in Pekin. He died Feb 19, 1992.

Surviving are one daughter, Tammy Durm of Pekin; one son Troy (Heather) Oertle of Manito; seven grandchildren, Tylina Durm of Pekin, Tanaya Durm of Oklahoma, Nickolas Durm of South Pekin, Ty-Austin Durm of East Peoria, Trentin Oertle, Trenity Oertle and Trissa Oertle, all of Manito; seven great-grandchildren, Braylene, Bre-Ella, Braylee, Trayden, Amara, Aryan, Tayler Ray and one sister, Judy Hayes.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Thomas Mathews; one grandson, Tayler Durm and one brother, Roy "Bill" William Saunders.

Barb worked for 6 ½ years at Oney’s Grocery as a clerk and as assistant manager in the deli, retiring in 1998. She worked for County market for eight years and Farm and Fleet for six years. She also spent time working at USCO and Payless Shoes.

She was a member of the Pekin Moose Family Center #916. She was also a member of the Spring Lake Sportsmen’s Club.

In her free time, she enjoyed listening to country music, watching ice skating and figure skating and spending as much time as she could with family and friends. Barb also enjoyed baking and cake decorating, especially for her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren more than anything in the world.

Barb was a member of the First Christian Church in Pekin.

Her funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Keith Moore will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Spring Lake Cemetery in Manito.

Memorials may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane

Pekin, Illinois 61554 or Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600 Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901 or Whitney’s Walk For Life, 5215 North Knoxville Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com