Barbara Jane Markey

1927 - 2022

Barbara Jane (Walkington) Markey
Born: December 9, 1927 in Greenwood, IL
Died: June 15, 2022 in Ottawa, IL
Barbara Jane (Walkington) Markey, 94, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at home, surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Barbara Jane Walkington Markey was born was on December 9, 1927 in Greenwood, IL. She was one of nine children born to Howard and Olivene (Bumstead) Walkington. She spent the majority of her young life raised on her family's farm. One of her chores was to feed the young calves and lambs. A job which earned her the nickname Mother Goose from her brothers. When three of those brothers were called to war, she learned how to drive the tractor in order to help her father. Her ability to drive a tractor was a huge help not only to her father but the surrounding farmers. One of her fondest memories are the wonderful meals cooked by those farmers' wives.
She graduated vice president of Woodstock High in 1945 and went on to Beauty School in Rockford, IL. Worked for 5 years at Kay's Beauty Salon in Rockford.
She was introduced to William "Bill" Markey by her brother-in-law Tom Hansen, at Monte's in Naplate, IL. They married September 1, 1951. In 1957 they moved to a pretty home on 610 Illinois Ave where they raised eight children. Often in the afternoons she would be in need of a nap, she would tell her children, "Only wake me if Rock Hudson calls." She was a kind and loving woman with a sweet sense of humor she kept till the end of her life.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed so many things in life, knitting, crocheting, walking, birds, animals and babies, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her seven children, Susan Condron, Frank (Diane) Markey, Jennifer (Paul) Perry, Elizabeth (Michael) Clifford, Katherine (Robert) Keeney, daughter-in-law Eva Markey, Joseph (Kammy) Markey, Carol (Scott) Thompson. Her remaining sister, Peggy Walkington Plimmer. Nineteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Markey and son Patrick Markey.
Pallbearers will be her children.
Memorials may be directed to PADS or the Community Food Basket.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433