CHARLESTON, IL – Barbara Ann Johns, age 84 of Charleston, went to her Heavenly Home on Friday, May 31, 2019 while at Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue in Charleston, with Pastor Ken Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon. Donations in her honor may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or to the City of Charleston’s Urban Butterfly Initiative. Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
Barb was born November 23, 1934 in Shelbyville, Illinois, the only child of the late Fred and Margaret (Timperley) Lading. She married D. Max Johns on October 24, 1953 in Corinth, Mississippi and they were married 61 years prior to his death on July 22, 2015. Left to cherish many wonderful memories are her daughters, Maggie Kimbro and husband Bruce of Streamwood, Illinois and Judy Adair and husband Pat of Charleston; three grandchildren, Jarad Kimbro and wife Courtney of Mattoon, Illinois, Rachel Conner and husband Paul of Streamwood, and Lindsay Shelley and husband Aaron of Berwyn, Illinois; and five great-grandchildren, Jaylyn, Cale, Carson, Kaiden and Kennedi. Barb was also preceded in death by a son, Donald Ray Johns and a granddaughter, Carlee Adair.
Barb was a graduate of Stewardson-Strasburg High School and Salutatorian of her class. She furthered her education by attending Eastern Illinois University. She was employed at Eastern Illinois University and lastly by the Charleston School District as a Library Aid and Secretary at the Jefferson and Lerna Elementary Schools and Charleston Jr. High School.
Barb’s church and family were of great importance to her. As a faithful and active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church, she also was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and the Ladies Aid. She served on the board of directors and was instrumental in establishing the church library. For more than 40 years, everyone who was baptized at Immanuel received a Baptismal Banner which she created especially for them. Barb was also actively involved with the Coles County Home Extension.
Barb’s interests were many and varied. She was a gardener of both vegetables and flowers, an excellent seamstress, and marvelous cook. She was also an avid reader who enjoyed traveling, and was a history buff which included genealogy and being the family historian. She was a Friend of the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan who, along with Imogene McClanahan, enjoyed many theater productions. She was a fan of Elvis, enjoyed square dancing with Max, loved animals and had a tender heart for children. Barb loved her family dearly and she excelled at being a farmer’s wife, a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was dearly loved by her family and friends and will be truly missed.
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