Barry J. Locher

He was born to William Joseph and Mary Winifred Locher on January 30, 1955 in Jacksonville, and spent his childhood in Roodhouse. He married Debra Kochman in 1987 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Springfield.

He graduated North Greene High School in White Hall in 1973 and the Missouri School of Journalism in 1977.

Barry worked for The State Journal-Register and its owners, Copley Newspapers, Inc., for 33 years, beginning in 1974 as an intern in the photography department and completing his career as editor in 2007. He served in many roles, including staff photographer, photography editor, deputy managing editor and managing editor prior to being appointed editor in 1999. He was a member of the editorial board from 1994-2007, and was the senior executive responsible for the daily news operation from 1997-2007. He resigned from The State Journal-Register in 2007 following its sale to GateHouse Media in 2006.

In 2003, a project under Barry’s direction was recognized as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in National Reporting. A product of collaboration between Copley News Service and The State Journal-Register staff and published as a four-day series, the project’s stories and photographs examined the changing ethnic culture of Beardstown over a 15-year span.

In addition, The State Journal-Register received the top award for editorial excellence among large newspapers from the Illinois Press Association for four consecutive years (2004-2007).

For three decades, Barry and his colleagues were instrumental in developing a nationally recognized photojournalism program at The State Journal-Register. In 2005, The State Journal-Register was selected by Photo District News as one of the country’s 13 best newspapers for photojournalists.

Barry created The State Journal-Register’s once popular Outdoors section. He was an avid waterfowl and deer hunter, enjoyed camping, and loved the outdoors. He had been an owner of the Lower 40 Duck Club in Snicarte, Illinois, and cherished time spent with family at his cabin in Pike County.

He and his editorial board associates were leading proponents in raising community awareness to the significance of preserving the Margery Adams house on Clear Lake Avenue, which is now the headquarters for the Illinois Audubon Society.

Following his resignation from the newspaper, Barry joined the public relations staff of Memorial Medical Center in 2008, and in 2010 became director of the foundation for the Illinois Press Association—a position he held until his resignation in 2016.

Barry was named Photographer of the Year by the Illinois Press Photographers Association in 1982 and Regional Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association in 1983. He received the George Day Service Award from the Illinois Press Photographers Association in 1983. In 2008, he was inducted into the Lincoln League of Journalists by the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association for exemplary service to other journalists and newspapers in Illinois.

He was a former member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association, the National Press Photographers Association and the Illinois Press Photographers Association.

Barry served on the board of Friend-in-Deed for 17 years. He also served on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association, and the Illinois Press Foundation. He was a founding board member of the Illinois First Amendment Center.

In addition to his wife, Debra, Barry is survived by his children Tad W. Locher (Alexandra) of Havana; Bonnie Locher Pemberton (Gentry) of Centralia, MO., and W. Joseph Locher of Springfield.

He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Family will receive visitors on Friday, November 13, 2020 from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.

at Bisch Funeral Home, downtown location (505 E Allen), Springfield. Covid-19 restriction apply requiring face coverings, social distancing and allowing 25 guest in the funeral home at one time. Services are private.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.

Memorials may be directed to the Illinois Audubon Society/Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 2547, Springfield, IL, 62708.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch and Son Funeral Home. 217-544-5424

5/17/20