Barbara was born May 15, 1946, in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Henry and Ermalene (Bishop) Beam.
Barbara graduated from Peoria High School with the class of 1964. She went on to attend Elmhurst College, graduating in 1968, and later earned her master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1970. She served as a librarian for the State of Illinois from 1970 until her retirement in 2002. In addition to her career, she operated a small business, Creative Memories Scrapbooking.
Faith was an important part of Barbara’s life. She was a member of First Congregational Church in Springfield. She was active in the Christian Fellowship and A.M. Deacons and was the first woman to serve on the Board of Deacons. She was also involved with the Sister Cities Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A resident of the Springfield community since 1970, Barbara gave her time generously. She loved cats and helped coordinate spay-and-neuter efforts for the fairgrounds cat population. She also enjoyed gardening, music, reading, scrapbooking, and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Ermalene.
Barbara is survived by her sister, Marsha L. (Galen) Johnson of Pawnee, IL; brother, Curtis C. (Elaine) Beam of Warrensburg, IL; several nieces, nephews, cousins; and Kodak the cat.
Family will receive friends at 9:30 AM Monday December 29, 2025, at First Congregational Church 2100 S. Bates Ave in Springfield until time of service at 10:00 AM with Pastor Lynn Bohlmann officiating. Inurnment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to: Forever Home Feline Ranch in Rochester, IL, APL, U of I Foundation Not For Profit Corporation for use toward IL Public Media WILL.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
