Barbara Gresham

Born on December 26, 1941 in Peoria to Robert and Dorothy (Slonneger) Beenders, she married Steven Henry Gresham on July 27, 1963 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Washington. He died on October 9, 2021 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Bob Beenders and one sister, Sally Wolf.

Surviving are three sons, David (Mindy) Gresham of St. Louis, Allan (Donna) Gresham of Mapleton and Michael (Annette) Gresham of Delavan; eight grandchildren, Maddie Gresham of West Peoria, Joe Gresham of Peoria, Tyson Hesh of Mapleton, Lauren (Grant) Randall of Kansas City, Kansas, Morgan (Paul) Narup of St. Louis, Missouri, Madison Gresham of Dallas, Texas, Sidney Gresham of Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Molly Gresham of Delavan and one great-granddaughter, Mia Narup.

Barbara was a graduate of Illinois State University in Normal, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She dedicated her career to teaching, retiring from the South Pekin Grade School. Throughout her career, she also taught in Washington, Delavan, San Jose, and at Rankin School in rural Pekin.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crosswords with her sister. At one point in her life, she enjoyed cross stitch. In recent years, her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a devoted member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pekin.

Her memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2026 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where a memorial service will immediately follow. Pastor Stephen D. Barnes will officiate. Private inurnment will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2223 Sheridan Road, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.Preston-Hanley.com