Our mother, Barbara Marie (Weisenbacher) Coleman passed peacefully from this life at 8:50 pm, Wednesday November 22, 2017, at the age of 85. Her passing was the end of a long struggle with COPD, throughout which she kept busy with her work and her many hobbies.
Barbara was born the first of two daughters, to Edward and Marie (Schuller) Weisenbacher on April 16, 1932, in Springfield, Illinois. Her parents were emigrants from Austria, coming to this country in 1909 (Marie) and 1921 (Edward), and later becoming US Citizens.
Barbara is survived by her husband Ronald “Ronnie” Coleman, and three loving children: Vicki (Vernon) Vaughn, Gail (John) Lorenzini, and Ronald (MaryAnn) Coleman Jr. She will live on in the memory of her beloved grandchildren Lynne Lorenzini Lowder, Nicholas Lorenzini, and Lauren Coleman, as well as great-grandchildren Anthony, Roman and Maria Lowder. Barbara is also survived by her sister Dolores O’Neal, and her sisters-in-law Jacqueline Stites and Roberta Booher. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her parents-in-law.
Our mother met the love of her life “Ronnie” at age 15, attracted to the young, good-looking guy playing the piano at SkyRanch Dance Club. They fell in love and were married on February 13, 1949 at Fifth Presbyterian Church by Reverend Roy Kale. Through their seventy years together, they have raised children, and worked side-by-side to operate family businesses. In 1955 they started Travel Lunch Food Service, then starting in 1970, they built Woodland Acres Mobile Home Park and later operated All- American Mobile Home Sales. They have truly been partners in life and work, and best friends.
Barbara has always been an avid reader of books, starting in her childhood, and continuing with new books on her kindle; she passed along this love of reading by example to all of us. In her role as business partner with Ron, she was an early member of the Capital City Chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association).
Everyone who knew our mother knew of her great lifetime love of crochet, knitting, rug-hooking, and many other creative projects. She leaves a wealth of hand-made treasures for her children and grandchildren, including those that were holiday and birthday gifts. She was always working to get a new knitted project “done by Christmas” for everyone, and her love was in every piece.
Mom leaves us with many memories of her generosity in loving, caring devotion to the many stray cats she and Dad took in. In her later years, her “babies” were the highlight of her day, and she was very happy that they could provide a safe home for these abandoned cats. She was a generous supporter of APL throughout her life.
Staab Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements and cremation. Our family will plan a Celebration of Life to bring family and friends together, at a date to be planned for January. We thank everyone for prayers and thoughts at this time, and any contributions in her name should be directed to the local APL (Animal Protective League) that is providing care for the cats and kittens from her home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League.
Help tell the story of Barbara's life by contributing to the Life Event Timeline. Upload the photo of an event...
Springfield
1109 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Sherman
2626 East Andrew Road
Sherman, IL 62684
Vicki Vaughn posted on 1/18/18
We are fortunate to have had our parents as long as we have. Everyone loved Barb. How could you not. She was cheerful, optimistic and always enthusiastic about whatever her current book, her CD of new music or her artistic pursuits of which she excelled and frequently taught others. When we think back to all of this we wonder how she found the time because she was not only a devoted mother, and Ron’s wife, but was a true partner in his pursuits. Meeting when they were just kids of 15 and 16, they were always a team. She worked beside him in all of his ventures from packing up and moving to California in a pickup truck with two kids under 4, to starting the Travel Lunch business, and finally to the creation of Woodland Acres. At a tiny 5ft she even physically worked right alongside. As children, we saw her example and did not want to disappoint. Our mother’s life was full of challenges, but she was the family backbone, the glue. Always a cheerful “Oh, hi honey” when we called or stopped by, you felt you had just made her day. She was generous with her “I love yous” and she gave the absolute best hugs. She will be missed every day. Daughter #1, Vicki