Elva B. Barr

Elva B. Barr, age 98, of Bloomington, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2011m at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in Lancaster. She was born in Cassville on December 26, 1912, the daughter of James and Anna (Wiest) Noble. On February 23, 1933, Elva was united in marriage to Frank M. Barr in Galena, IL. She and Frank made their home at the Barr family farm near North Andover. Franks father, brother and sister also lived with them. Elva was a member of North Andover Royal Neighbors for over 75 years and a member of the Pleasant Hour Club of North Andover. She was also a sewing and cooking leader of the Prairie Ramblers 4-H Club. Elva worked at the North Andover Store and did sewing and housekeeping for the Lancaster Memorial Hospital. Frank and Elva moved to Bloomington from the family farm in 1976. Elva loved the Bloomington Senior Citizens get togethers and said if you feel bad, all you have to do is walk down the street in Bloomington and people made you feel better. She also loved Mas Bakery and her trip to Aldis. Elva was an avid sewer, card player and an excellent cook. In addition to making many quilts for her family, she loved to paint and wallpaper.

Survivors include her daughters: Barbara (Am) Mergen, Joan (Jim) Wagner, all of Bloomington; Jane Vande Berg, San Antonio, TX; grandchildren: Sue Bernhardt, Steve Mergen, Terry Mergen, Chris Laufenberg, Tami Hoffman, Pam Frank, Jennifer Riebe, Jeff Wagner, Michael Wagner, Jason Vande Berg, and James Vande Berg; 29 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, J. Stanley Noble and brothers and sisters-in-law: Walter Barr, Mary Thornton, Grace Addison, Allen Barr, Myrtle Barr, Lloyd Barr, John Barr and Retha Noble.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial was in Blakes Prairie Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends called on Friday, April 15, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington is assisting the family.

Many thanks to Orchard Manor for the great care she received in the past six years.