Barbara Ann Springs

Sunday, December 20, 2020
5:00 to 7:00 pm and
Monday, December 21, 2020
9:00 to 10:30 am
Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Monday, December 21, 2020
11:00 am
St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

Barbara Ann Springs, 84, of Springfield, IL, died Monday, December 14, 2020 at the Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care.

Barb was born in St Louis on October 27, 1936, to William Gerhard and Ottilia Helen (nee Huegen) Schulte, of Aviston, IL. In 1953, she married Kenneth Springs of Highland, IL.

Barb was a devout Catholic, wife, mother, daughter and sister. She loved big families and knew she wanted to be the mother to one. So, over the first 21 years of her 67-year marriage, she gave birth to 14 children (which produced, 32 grandchildren, plus 22 great grandchildren) and spent a lifetime showing all 68 of them how to be exceptional humans. She was a home economics master craftsman before anyone understood what that was. She was naturally gifted when it came to cooking, preparing holiday celebrations and running family finances - somehow covering living expenses of an exceptionally large family on a modest middle-class income. She made all sorts of clothing, from coats to wedding dresses, reupholstered & refinished furniture, and in 9 family homes, led improvement projects after each relocation into 8 different cities in 4 states.

Quietly Proud! She was not one to talk about how wonderful she or her family were, but definitely showed you with respect and consideration. She loved sports and competitive games. As “the example” she showed multiple generations how to be a great sport - enjoying the game first, doing your best and challenging yourself to be better than others - to win.

In her lifetime there are thousands of examples of Barb regularly performing selfless acts for her children which carried into all of their adult lives. She always played down these acts as if they were not a big deal and stated, “that’s what you should all expect from each other too”.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth E. Springs; children, Michael (Wendy) Springs, Marsha (Michael) Norris, Karen (Jeff) Hayden, Kevin Springs, Kathy (Doug) Campbell, Keith Springs, Kim Springs, Michele (Pat) Campano, Stacey (Robert) Adams, Kurt (Lisa) Springs, Carolyn (Dan) Baum, Cynthia (Mark) Buchvalt; grandchildren, Jennifer Springs, Kristy (Justin) Stone, Scott (Courtney) Norris, Kelly Norris, Paula (Jason) Coburn, Keri (Mike) Garfield, Erica Kistler, Michael (Mickey) Kistler, Kate Campbell, Krista Campbell, Cassandra Fountaine, Stephanie Haske, Matthew Springs, Jamie (Clark) Hayden, Samantha Springs, Chad Martin, Craig Martin, Ashlee Martin, Jeremy Campano, Joshua Campano, Jacob Adams, Jared Adams, Jonathan Adams, Jillian Adams, Aidan Springs, Emerson Springs, Andrew Baum, Alexandria Baum, Logan Buchvalt, Dylan Buchvalt, ; great-grandchildren, Michael, Alec, Andrew, McKenna, Macie, Colton, Amber, Joshua, Caleb, Allisyn, Corrine, Maggie, Jadyn, Eliza, Julianna, Joseph, Abigail, Jackson, Elizabeth, Conner, Adelynn, Haylee; sister, Patricia Louise (Schulte) Jost; sister-in-law, Arlene Carolyn (Szalay) Schulte; niece, Melinda Schulte; and nephews, Michael Schulte, Bill (Cherie) Schulte.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Cheryl McDonough & Deanna Mae Fountaine; grandsons, Jonathan Springs and Christopher Springs; daughter-in-law, Fina Springs; and her brother, William John Schulte.

Memorials can be made to Mount Grace Convent of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters or St. Paul Education Foundation

Visitation: Sunday, December 20, 2020, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Monday, December 21, 2020 from 9:00 to 10:30 am, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, December 21, 2020, 11:00 am, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL