Deborah Lynn Barstow

Born: March 15, 1957; in Chicago

Died: May 15, 2007

Her true calling was in children's ministries



GENEVA - Deborah Lynn Barstow nee Erickson, 50, of Geneva, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007, after a courageous yearlong battle with breast cancer.

She was born March 15, 1957, in Chicago, the daughter of the late P. Daniel and Lynn Jacobson Erickson.

She married Randall Gene Barstow, formerly of Galesburg, on March 26, 1994, in Park Ridge. They have a son, Daniel Gene.

She was raised and educated in Park Ridge, graduating from Maine South High School.

She worked for 18 years as the executive assistant to the president of Centel Corp. in Chicago, where she met her husband. After the birth of her son, she became a full-time mom until she found her true calling in children's ministries.

Most recently she was the director of elementary education ministries at First Baptist Church of Geneva and was an active member on the Children's Ministries Leadership Team. She was responsible for coordinating and staffing the Sunday morning elementary education programs at both of the church's east and west campus locations. She also was a regular volunteer for Adventure Club during the school year and Vacation Bible School at the church each summer.

In addition to her church activities, she actively volunteered as a team mom for her son's sports teams and enjoyed gardening and tending to the flower beds at her home. She was an avid Chicago Bears fan.

Surviving are her husband and son, both of Geneva; her mother of Plano, Texas; three sisters, Denise and Judy (Michael) Rawls, also of Plano, Texas, and Janis of Des Plaines; her father- and mother-in-law, Russell G. and Carlene N. Barstow of Galesburg; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father.

The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Yurs-Wittenberg Funeral Home, 1771 W. State St. (Route 38), Geneva. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 18, at First Baptist Church, 2300 South St., Geneva. The Rev. Brian Coffey will officiate. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Galesburg. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 143 S. First St., Batavia, IL 60510.

For information, call Yurs-Wittenberg Funeral Home at (630) 232-7337.

Please sign the guest book at www.KCChroncle.com/obits