Barbara J. Hiett, 87, of Avon, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, Illinois. She was born August 22, 1938, in rural Vermont, Illinois, the daughter of James Archie and Faye Lillian (Hendricks) Gossage.
Following her graduation from Avon High School in 1956, she lived in Texas for several years where she attended the Southwestern Bible Institute. She later returned to Illinois and married Calvin Kenneth Hiett in 1961.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Calvin; one son, Scott Hiett; her parents; sister, Patricia Eileen (Gossage) Dix-Bultemeier.
Barb is survived by her son Kenneth Daniel Hiett of Galesburg, Illinois; grandchildren, Matthew D. (Kayla) Hiett, Mitchell J. (Katie) Hiett, Noah, Vivienne and Evelyn; 5 great-grandchildren; several nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
She was a member of the Avon Methodist Church and a choir member in her younger years. As a young child, she developed an appreciation for music and athletics in which she participated throughout high school. She continued to enjoy those activities through her sons’ and grandchildren’s involvement during their school years. She was an active supporter and assistant in the Avon Summer Baseball Program in its formative years and a member and past president of the Avon Music Parents Association.
Barb was extremely proud of her work ethic, and working was a very important part of her life. In her earlier career she worked for Admiral and OMC of Galesburg. She graduated from Carl Sandburg College and was the first manager of the Casey’s General Store in Avon. Most notably she retired as an Advanced Accountant (after 26 years of service) on May 31, 2015 from the Illinois Great River Correctional Center in Canton.
She loved being outdoors and for many years happily shared extra garden produce (personally delivered or placing in areas where people could help themselves) with many local residents.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2026 in the Avon Cemetery, Avon, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Avon Methodist or Federated Churches, A-Town School’s music departments, Avon Summer Baseball programs or a charity of your choice. Moore Memorial Home, Avon, is handling the arrangements.
