Barbara Holmes

Surrounded by family and loved ones, Barbara Elaine Holmes, 78, of Centralia, Illinois, passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father at 5:01pm Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur, Illinois.

She was born Barbara Painter, daughter of Herman and Dorsie Painter, on November 23, 1947, at St. Anthony's Hospital, Effingham, Illinois.

She married Leroy Holmes on December 10, 2000. Their love for each other carried them to new heights of joy in life and experience together.

From humble beginnings, and with a passion for helping others, Barbara obtained her certificate from Mattoon School of Practical Nursing in 1966, forging the path for a lifetime career in healthcare. Receiving accolades for her work and dedication in every role, from nurse to transcriptionist, her proudest professional achievement was as administrator of The Lutheran Care Center in Altamont, Illinois from 1980 to 1989.

Barbara will be lovingly remembered as being a tireless defender of family and loved ones. She lived her life with equal parts, joy & passion, the latter of which was occasionally expressed through her bold wit. Relying on her faith, love, curiosity, and a yearning for adventure as her guides, her favorite activities included spending time with her husband and family, expressing joy in and through her musical talents, bowling, golf, and camping, as well as, later in life, driving & riding motorcycles.

She is survived by her adoring husband, Leroy; children, Michael (Lora) Hamann of Effingham, Sandra Davis (Colin Brady) of St. Charles, Missouri, Nancy Lefever (Aaron Dickerson) of Sanford, Florida; step-daughters, Tina Greenwood of Salem and Angie (Bill) Bergman of Mooresville, Indiana; grandchildren, Hayden Duckwitz, Emma (Noah) Hoffman, Seth Davis, and Joseph Davis; siblings, Herman Painter, Jr. of Mason, Roy Painter (Angie) of Toledo; sister-in-law, Linda Painter of Mt. Olive; along with extended family including a host of nieces and nephews, and step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Vera Painter; brother-in-law, and sister, Richard and Irene Warren; brother, Darrell Painter; stepson, Larry Holmes; and beloved pets, Buster & Beau.

Visitation, and gathering for celebration, will be held at Crouse Funeral Home, 403 S. Broadway Ave., Salem, Illinois on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again on Saturday from 10:30 am until the time of the service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 am, with services officiated by family friend Phil DeShazo. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery in Salem. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org, or the donor's choice and can be received at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com