Barbara Ann Frantz

ST. JOSEPH — Barbara Ann Frantz, 83, passed away on June 20, 2018, at The Bickford ofChampaign.

Barb was born June 13, 1935, in Tazewell County to Vilas and Erma Nafziger. She graduated from Minier High School in 1953 and spent a year at Goshen College, Goshen, Ind., taking secretarial classes. After two years of voluntary service in Puerto Rico, Barb was married to Ronald Wyse who lived in Midland, Mich., from September 1958 through 1971. They lived in Michigan and Indiana before moving to Bloomington, Ill., in 1964.

Barb worked for the Bloomington Police Department. She later became thesecretary for the chief of police.

Barb married Kenneth Frantz from Urbana on Jan. 29, 1979. Barb worked for the city of

Champaign in the public works department where she was secretary to the operations manager. Upon retirement, Barb and Ken moved to St. Joseph.

They enjoyed camping with the Tawaskote Long Rifles, a group that depicts the lifestyle of the pre-1840 years wearing the clothes of the era. She loved sitting around the fire visiting and listening to music. Barb also enjoyed antiquing and going to University of Illinois games.

Barb served as an auxiliary volunteer at Carle Foundation Hospital brightening patient’s days and was active in her church.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, who died on June 8, 2016; her parents; and a sister-in-law, Emma Jean Nafziger.

Barb is survived by her stepchildren, Cheryl (Greg) Sizer, Mahomet, Karl(Alison Sampson)

Frantz of Broomfield, Colo., and Kurt (Maggie) Frantz of Allen, Texas; and six grandchildren, Ashlie, Tyler, Connor, Ellen, Matthew and Jack. She is also survived by her four siblings, Marlene (Wendell) Birky of Valparaiso, Ind., John (Connie) Nafziger of Gahanna, Ohio, Keith Nafziger of Bloomington and Shirley (Gerald) Brunk of Harrisonburg, Va.; as well as four nieces, one nephew and their families.

Barb was greatly loved by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her love and commitment to family, her faith, her free spirit and her genuine kindness for all whom she met.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2018, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at the funeral home.