Barbara R. Hertzfeldt, 69, of Mackinaw, Illinois was met at the gates of heaven by her husband, Tom, her parents, Harold and Rachel, and sister, Carolyn Bevard, on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Barbara Ruth Merrill was born on December 27, 1947, the baby of the family (No doubt her brother would agree!) and last of four children. She grew up in the town of Lincoln, Illinois and lived there for 30 years, until moving to Peoria, Illinois in 1977. In 1997, Barbara and Tom pursued their dream of owning a farm and growing lavender in Mackinaw at Lavender Creek Farm.

She married Tom, her high school sweetheart (they met at the drinking fountain…ohh laa laa!), on August 12, 1967. They were married for 47 years until Tom preceded her in death in 2014. They were blessed with three children: Juliana (Philip) Kaminski of Danvers, Illinois, Karie (Darrell) Friling of Orland Park, Illinois, and Thomas (Tracy) Hertzfeldt II of Orlando, Florida. She was further survived by eleven grandchildren, Amber, Jacob, Joshua, Nathan, Nicholas, Abigael, Rachel, Josephine, Grace, Charlie, and Jaime. (We all got real busy!) She is also survived by her best friend and sister, Joyce (Ken) Letterle of Lafayette, Louisiana, and also her brother Charles (Karen) Merrill of Hobe Sound, Florida.

A private ceremony, with her children and brother, was held in Orlando Florida, where she had lived the last few years. A celebration of her life is anticipated to be held in Lincoln, Illinois in the spring of 2018 (she liked it warm!) where her ashes will be laid to rest beside her husband in Union Cemetery. We look forward to seeing you. Until then, eat a brownie in memory of her!

The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses who lovingly cared for her – Renay, Sylvania, Kim and Sophia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Children’s Hospital of Illinois Foundation”, in Peoria, Illinois. 530 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois, 61637, in Barbara’s name.