Barbara Ann McFadden

Barbara Ann McFadden, age 73, of Savanna, IL, passed away in her home, with her family by her side on May 13, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m., Sunday, May 18 at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Savanna, IL. Visitation will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., before the service. Burial will take place at Savanna Spring Lake Cemetery, on Monday, May 19, at 10 a.m.
Born February 15, 1952, to Lester and Jeanne (Thompson) Thulion, in Savanna, Barb spent her entire life in Savanna. She liked to say she "grew up on the Mississippi River", where her family would vacation for weeks on end each summer on the family houseboat. They would water ski and fish, and make bonfires on the beautiful islands of the Mississippi River, coming in off the water only for groceries and summer ball games.
In 1970, Barb graduated from Savanna High School, and two years later, on July 8, 1972, she married her high school sweetheart, Dennis "Mac" McFadden. Barb and Mac were great fits for one another, as they set out to create a life for their own family that mirrored much of what Barb cherished from her childhood and young life. They were blessed with two children, Scott and Keri, and it wasn't long before they were splashing on the shores of the river and throwing a ball.
Attending sports and activities were a big part of Barb and Mac's family life. As her kids grew to love baseball, football, volleyball, and basketball, Barb made sure she was in attendance at every game! Her attendance would also include the sports and activities of her nieces and nephews. It then carried over to their grandkids (Dalton, Drew, Aubrey, and Ava) and their sports and activities. It was her focus not to miss anything and that did not go unnoticed by her grandchildren. One summer her and Mac estimated they were able to attend more than 100 ball games!
Barb's love and appreciation for community activities extended beyond just her children and grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of the Savanna Community United Church of Christ, where she served on the church committee. She was secretary of the Savanna Service Club, and volunteered for many local organizations including the Savanna Baseball Association, Sports Boosters, and Savanna High School After Prom.
Professionally, Barb was an x-ray technician for the Savanna Hospital when she was a young adult and later worked in production control for Metform, retiring in 2017. We can all agree that her greatest life's work was that as a wife, mother and grandmother. She adored her family and one of her favorite ways to show it was through her cooking and hosting; everything from large spreads at family gatherings for birthdays and holidays, morning pancakes with her granddaughter, and taco dip and nachos for family friends. Barb truly treasured each and every moment with her beautiful family and was sure to remember all of the birthdays and anniversaries with cards and phone calls.
Barb will be dearly missed by her husband of 52 years, Mac; son, Scott (Jennifer) McFadden, granddaughters Aubrey and Ava, of Huntley, IL; daughter, Keri (Jack Salo) McFadden, grandsons Dalton and Drew of Lanark, IL; mother, Jeanne Bess; brother, Ron (Maria) Thulion, of Savanna, IL; and sister, Jan (Mark) Schoening, of Savanna, IL, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.. Barb is preceded in death by her father, Les Thulion; step-father, Frederick "Rocky" Bess; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gordon and Jean McFadden; uncle and aunt, Donald and Lucille Thompson; and uncle and aunt, Charles and Mildred Thompson.