Barbara Lynn Toepper

1944 - 2026

Barbara Lynn Toepper
Born: November 4, 1944 in Blue Island, IL
Died: February 9, 2026 in Kankakee, IL
Barbara Lynn Toepper was born in Blue Island, IL, on November 4th, 1944, and was the second daughter of Frederick and Margaret Uthe of Manhattan, IL. On April 24th, 1965, she married Richard Toepper, the love of her life. Together, they raised five children: Julie Ouwenga (Ron) of Bourbonnais, IL; Jon Toepper (Sue) of Manteno, IL; Jori Toepper of Pekin, IL; Jamon Toepper (Katie) of Manteno, IL; and Joshua Toepper of Atlanta, GA. She was blessed by and cherished her nineteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, with more on the way every year!
She is survived by her siblings, Cathy (Michael) Conner of Fort Wayne, IN, William (Marianne) Uthe of Manhattan, IL, Luann (Robert ) Widlowski of Crest Hill, IL, Jackie (Randall) Darby of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Richard (Debbie) Uthe of Manhattan, IL, Roberta (Phil) McMurtrey of Morton, IL and preceeded in death by her parents, her sister Sharon Subbert, and her great-granddaughter Lilly.
Barb was a woman of tremendous passion. Whether it was on the hunt for a rare antique, taking care of her dogs, cats, and horses, or playing a game of dominoes, she lived life with vigor. Her passion was demonstrated most clearly by her love for others, especially her family. Those who knew Barb well called her "mother" because being a mother was the vocation of her life. She was there to cheer you on, cheer you up, bandage your wounds, or defend you against anyone or anything. Whether she noticed your "pretty blouse," heard you sing at church, watched you play sports, or celebrated you on your birthday, she loved you as only a mom could.
Her deepest love, though, was reserved for Jesus. She grew up Lutheran and often spoke about how early in life she was taught to look to Jesus as her savior, how to pray, and that Jesus shaped how you lived till the day your faith became sight. In the last 4 decades of her life, though, her love for Christ and His church truly blossomed. At Christ's Mission in Manhattan, Christian Life Fellowship in Monee, and Peoples Church in Bourbonnais, she made lifelong friends, partnered in service with her husband, and found many ways to serve her Jesus and His church. She counted leading worship at Christian Life Fellowship and Peoples Church as especially meaningful. Like Mary in the Bible, she simply loved to sit at the feet of Jesus in worship and she now rests there for eternity.
Mother's memory lives on through a large and growing family that will always carry her legacy with them. Even more, everyone who had the privilege of knowing her are left with the opportunity to carry on her example of loving Jesus and mothering others well. Memory eternal, Mother. Until the resurrection.
Visitation for Barbara will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 4-8:00pm at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. Funeral Service will take place the following day on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Peoples Church, 6644 N 1000 West Rd, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 with an additional hour of visitation beginning at 9:00am until the time of her funeral service at 10:00. Interment will immediately follow at Mount St. Patrick Cemetery, Wilton Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's name to People's Church, Bourbonnais, would be most appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.