Barbara Ellen O’Connor, 89, formerly of Bushnell and Wataga, Illinois, died at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, Illinois.
Barb was born January 14, 1934, in Galesburg, Illinois, the daughter of Maurice Thomas and Sophie Marie (Heindl) Godsil. Barb graduated from St. Joseph Academy and Corpus Christi High School. She went on to work for many years as the circulation administrative clerk at the Galesburg Register Mail.
Barb married Robert Francis O’Connor on November 6, 1954, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Galesburg. Their marriage brought two sons, Robert F. (Sue Simpson) O’Connor, Jr. of Rio, Illinois, and James M. (Bobbie) O’Connor of Chicago, Illinois; and three daughters, Loretta M. (Arnold Van der Wal) O’Connor of Tempe, Arizona; Nora E. (Tom) Liebetrau of Galesburg; and Bridget A. O’Connor of Altona, Illinois. Barb is also survived by one grandson, Jake O’Connor of Brooklyn, New York; one brother, Michael T. Godsil of Galesburg; and one sister, Cecilia A. Polillo of Galesburg. Along with her parents, Barb was preceded in death by one sister, Sophie Ryner; two brothers, Clement (died in childhood) and Maurice A. Godsil; and her former husband and father of her children, Robert O’Connor.
Barb was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Bushnell, and St. Aloysius’ Catholic Church, Wataga; a member of Wataga seniors; served on B-PC School Board, Bushnell Public Library Board, and as Wataga Village Clerk. She was also a reading buddy for Galesburg School District #205.
Barb loved her family and her books, and maybe not in that order. She loved reading, puzzles, and word games of all kinds. She was also a local history buff, and spent many happy hours with her children or her sisters roaming the back roads and cemeteries of western Illinois. Her quick wit, famous smile, and her legendary deviled eggs will be missed.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Wataga. Father Deus-Dedit Byabato will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Galesburg Public Library Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
