| Graduation Year | Class of 1962 |
| Date of Passing | Dec 22, 2022 |
| About | Barbara Ann (nee Preston) Boothe, 78, of Belleville, IL passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Freeburg Care Center. She was born in Washington DC on July 8, 1944 to Scherer and Wahneta (nee Roehrkasse) Preston. Barbara was a faithful member of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL. She graduated from St. Luke’s with a nursing degree, after which she obtained her BSN at McKendree University. Barbara was a legendary nurse at Belleville Memorial Hospital for over 30 years. She made many wonderful friends at St. Luke’s and enjoyed attending yearly reunions. Barbara loved animals, especially birds, but above all else she treasured spending time with her family. Being a mother and grandmother brought her immense joy. She was an incredibly caring, loving woman with a great sense of humor and a kind heart. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Boothe, Jr. and daughter, Michelle (John) Boothe. Surviving to cherish her memory are her son, Scott (Sheri) Boothe; grandchildren, Nicholas and Cassidy Boothe; brothers, John (Norma) Preston and their daughter Jennifer, James “Jimmy” (Marilyn) Preston and their daughter Marla; sister, Mary Wallace; lifelong friend, Diane (Robert) Maes and numerous friends, cousins and other extended family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JDRF Diabetes Association or to the Belleville Humane Society. A memorial gathering will take place from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, immediately followed by a memorial service at 8:00 PM, officiated by Pastor Bruce Kesseman. She will be laid to rest at Valhalla Gardens of Memory mausoleum, Belleville, IL at a later date. |
