Luella J. Bahr

She was born on November 16, 1941 in Peoria to Louis and Bertha (Sleeth) Schoff.

Luella married Wilbur Bahr on August 30, 1959. Lu and Wil built their life together in Bartonville, Illinois, where she devoted herself to raising their family while he worked at Keystone Steel & Wire. She later earned her Associate’s Degree in Education from Illinois Central College and went on to share her passion for children and teaching as the proud owner of Chicken Little Preschool in Bartonville.

Beyond her work, Lu generously gave her time as a volunteer for many organizations over her years, most recently at the Carle Hospital Service League. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Peoria and its Wesley Class. She also had a passion for flower arranging and gardening and was a member of the Peoria Garden Club. Lu and Wil loved traveling both internationally and domestically, visiting all 50 states.

Luella is survived by her husband Wilbur and their two children, Brad (Michelle) Bahr of Midland, MI and Jill (Mark) Spilotro of Georgetown, TX. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kirsten Bahr, Shannon (Steve) Altheide, Livia (Arturo) Medina, Talia Spilotro, Celia (Nicholas) Solomon and Sophia (Scotty) Bibbey; great-grandchildren, Patrick and Addison Altheide, Samson, Fleur-Marie and Felix Horne and Travis Solomon; one sister, Sharon (James) Tripp and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 22 at Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, 2408 W. Willow Knolls Dr. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 23 at First United Methodist Church, 116 NE Perry Ave in Peoria. Rev. Dr. Tim Ozment will officiate. The family will receive visitors again at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service, and a lunch will follow the service at the church’s Worship Center. A private commissioning ceremony will be held at Swan Lake at a future date.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Peoria or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.woolsey-wilton.com