Barbara Jean Meskimen

Born in Batavia, New York to James H. and Ann Phyllis (Roden) Meskimen, she married George E. “Shorty” Arrowsmith on January 6, 1973 in Pekin. He died February 4, 2000 in Peoria. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Angela Glynn Walker; one sister, Patricia Ann Walker Kamrath; one brother, James J. Meskimen and one nephew, James K. Meskimen.

Barb is survived by one son, Christopher Joseph “Joey” Meskimen of Pekin and several nieces and nephews.

She worked as a licensed practical nurse for 28 years, retiring from Methodist Medical Center in 1999.

Barb was a member and past president of the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities for Tazewell County. She also was a former member of the Pekin Women of the Moose Chapter 673.

Barb was a collector of elephants and hummingbirds.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Deacon Tim Blanchard will officiate. Visitation will be held for one hour before the funeral. Burial will follow in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

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