By Jim Meridith
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  • Visitation

    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.

  • Service

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

  • Full Obituary

    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

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

10 Condolences
 
  1. Stacey Jayne Adams / December 16, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    To my dad and family,
    Our mom was the most amazing woman on earth. I wish I was able to tell her that more often at then end. I know she will always be with us, now and forever. God bless her and all of us during these days of grieving.

  2. Cindy Buchvalt / December 16, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    To Dad, and to our family,
    Mom will live on in all of us in everything we do and her kindness and selflessness will be passed down to our families. An amazing woman in so many ways! She will be loved by us all forever. We miss her and will work hard to live the life she intended for us all. God bless you Mom and as Logan stated to me when I told him of the news “you were welcomed into heaven at 3pm on Monday, the same time of day that Jesus died for us all”. XXOO

  3. Michele Campano / December 17, 2020 at 7:01 am

    To Dad and family,
    Mom was always the the light in my life . I couldn’t wait to talk to her when something good happened and make her smile or laugh. I called her way too many times to ask her for advice about taking care of my boys (still making her laugh). I remember her always finding the good in everything. Her faith in God was passed on to all of us and when things were challenging, she said he would take care of it. I will always repeat the things she said and I will never forget her advice. As children we laughed and had a wonderful family because of Mom and Dad. Thank you!

  4. C. Wilson / December 18, 2020 at 10:42 am

    To the SPRINGS FAMILY in their time of grief, I’m truly sorry for your loss. May ‘God’ give you peace during this most difficult time. (Psalm 4:8)

  5. Kim Gallagher / December 19, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    I am incredibly saddened to hear of your moms passing. She was an amazing woman. I have always admired her and the family she made. She always made me feel welcome and safe in her home. I took every piece of advice to heart and will never forget her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love always to your amazing family. Kim (Sullivan) Gallagher

  6. Rob Rishel / December 19, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    Dear Mr. Springs and Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Springs. She was an amazing woman and an extraordinary Mother. One of the true testaments of a Mother is the quality of individual of her children. Clearly, she was a success there. Not once, not twice, but fourteen times! I was honored to know you Mom, and honored to be your neighbor for so many years. God bless the entire Springs family. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

    Warmest Regards,
    Rob Rishel

  7. Mark Bial / December 20, 2020 at 7:56 am

    So thankful the Springs family moved to Danville in 1969. Mike was a welcome addition to Schlarman as was the entire Springs family. Mr & Mrs Springs made everyone feel part of the family. I am forever thankful for the lifelong friendship that followed with Mike. Thank you Mrs Springs for raising such a great family & putting up with us teenage boys being around 24/7.

  8. Carolyn Mary (Springs) Baum / December 20, 2020 at 10:19 am

    This comes at such a difficult time for everyone. We have lost the best mom a family could ask for. As I raise my own children I am always in awe of the life she lived and sacrifices made for her family. Mom wanted the best for each of her children and did whatever she could to provide that. With 14 children this task was not easy for our parents. Mom was always there for advice, not pushing her opinions but helping us to make the best choice by listening, commenting or taking action if that is what we might ask for. Leading us to be the best we could be and proud each of us. Living a ‘positive’ life is not easy but she succeeded. Mom will be missed daily but will live on in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Love to my Dad and siblings, nieces and nephews and entire extended Springs family

  9. Kim Springs / December 20, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    To my Dad and family. Love and strength to you all at this time of memory and mourning. Dad your wife, our mother, grandmother or great grandmother may be gone from our sight but she is never gone from our hearts. No one spread more love in one lifetime. She was always there for us and as we got older only a call away from helping with anything we needed.
    Her life was a blessing and her memory is forever a treasure.
    My mother you are loved beyond words I can say or write and missed beyond any measure.
    Always you are in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven.
    Thank you for alway making time for me when I needed you. And for doing all you could to give me and our entire family your love and graces.
    Love you Mom, Kim

  10. Elaine & Verlene Urekar / December 20, 2020 at 9:35 pm

    Ken & Springs Children & Extended Family ~
    I was so very sorry to see the news of Barbara’s passing in the paper today. I know mom enjoyed having her as a roommate at Heritage and I too enjoyed visiting with her. She has the sweetest smile. Barb will be sadly missed. Our hearts are breaking for you and your whole family…💔😥🙏 May God wrap you all in His Loving & Caring Arms and comfort you all during this extremely difficult time… Keeping you all in our thoughts & prayers…💞🙏💞
    Hugs to all, Elaine & Verlene Urekar

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