Barbara G. Phegley (nee Johnson)

Barbara G. Phegley, 85, passed away September 4, 2025, at Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash, OH, with her loving son by her side. Her passing ends a very long and courageous battle with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. She was born on February 12, 1940, to her late parents, Marvin O. and Gertrude A. Johnson. She was a loving wife for 65 years to her late husband, Joe A. Phegley, and a loving mother to J. Kevin and the late Jeffrey M. Phegley. Barbara also leaves behind a large extended family, including two sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, cousins and godchildren, and many close friends. In addition to her parents and son, she was preceded in death by her three older siblings, Marvin Johnson, Elizabeth (aka Betty) Reichardt and Robert (aka Bob) Johnson. She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her, especially so by her son, Kevin, who was her caregiver in her final years and who loves her so very, very much.

Barbara, called Aunt Barb by her family and just Barb by her many friends, had a kind, caring and loving heart. She loved all her family immensely and always enjoyed visits and vacations with them before her health declined in recent years. She had beautiful, expressive blue eyes and a smile that would light up any room. She was the keeper of her family history and could easily recall and reminisce about events that happened long ago. She takes that family knowledge with her.

Barbara was a person of strength. She was a breast cancer survivor for over 35 years. She was a champion at managing her peritoneal dialysis home care for the last seven and a half years of her life, while controlling her diabetes as well. She suffered through the murder of her youngest son, Jeff, a 22 year old police officer killed in the line of duty in 1987, and endured the criminal trial of his killer. She valiantly and successfully worked to keep his killer in prison ever since. Despite her many health issues and these personal hardships, she never let it destroy her enjoyment of life.

Barbara was an executive secretary for The Drake Center prior to her retirement in 2000 and she previously worked in similar positions at Providence Hospital for over 20 years. She was an excellent cook and could duplicate her mother's homemade chicken and dumplings recipe perfectly. They were always so delicious. She also enjoyed dining out and had a taste for a wide variety of foods. She was an avid reader and enjoyed socializing with her book club once a month in later years. She also enjoyed vacationing with her family and living part-time at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, where she and Joe owned a condominium for 22 years.

In accordance with her wishes no public service will be held. Barbara and her husband, Joe, asked to be cremated and a private joint burial service will be held for them in Illinois with their family and close friends at a later time. They will be laid to rest together beside their son, Jeff, and Joe's parents at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL. Should you wish to honor her memory, please consider donations to Hospice of Cincinnati or any charities researching treatments and cures for renal disease, diabetes and breast cancer.