Barbara J. Penn

Galesburg – Barbara Jane Penn, 81, of Galesburg, formerly of Lake Warren in Monmouth, and Abingdon, passed away at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Seminary Manor in Galesburg. 

  She was born July 13, 1934 in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Merlyn Lane Heagy.  She married Marshall Smith on September 19, 1954 and he preceded her in death in 1961.  She later married Dan Irons on December 14, 1963 and he preceded her in death in 1975.  She then married James “Jay” Penn on May 7, 1976 in Abingdon and they have shared nearly 40 wonderful years together.

  Barb is survived by her loving husband Jay; her children, Jan (Brian) Helms of Monmouth, Jane Berg of Monmouth and Tom (Teresa) Irons of Abingdon; 5 grandchildren, Michael West, Holly Berg (Kory McDonald), Daniel Irons, Jessica Irons, and Kenny Helms; her stepchildren, Gary (Wanda) Penn of Cameron, Jim (Debbie) Penn of East Galesburg, Willie (Terri) Penn of Monmouth, Donnie (Teressa) Taflinger of Abingdon, and David Taflinger of Texas; 14 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by a sister, Ruth Stiegel of Farmington Hills, Michigan, and a brother, Walt (Rosemary) Heagy of Scottsdale, Arizona.

  She graduated from Bushnell Prairie City High School in 1952.  She had lived in Abingdon for several years where she worked at The Pantry and later owned and operated B.J.’s Bakery.  She also baked wedding cakes and cookies in her home for many Abingdon area families. 

  She was a member and past president of the American Legion Post #381 Auxiliary, the Knox County American Legion Auxiliary and the State of Illinois American Legion Auxiliary.  She was a leader for Rainbow Girls, Girl Scouts and Brownies and a member of the Abingdon Booster Club.  She and Jay loved to travel, visit new restaurants and enjoyed being with family and friends.  She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and Wheel of Fortune watcher.

  Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel followed by a prayer service led by her cousin, David Lane, and brother, Walt Heagy.  Cremation will be accorded after the prayer service. 

  Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post #381 Auxiliary, American Gothic House Center, or a charity of donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

  The family would like to thank the staff of Seminary Manor for their outstanding loving care of Barb over the past year.