Barbara Culumber

Burlington, IA, formerly of Tower Hill

Barbara L. Culumber, 86, of Burlington, IA, formerly of Tower Hill, IL, died Thursday, October 8, 2009, at her home in Burlington.

Born March 13, 1923, in Pana, IL, she was the daughter of Earl and Margaret Bishop Riley. On April 18, 1943, she married Norman "Lum" Culumber in Warrensville, MO. He died July 20, 2006.

Barbara owned a chain of women's clothing stores named Barbara's for over 35 years in Shelbyville, Pana, Taylorville, and Mattoon, IL. She retired September 9, 1999.

She was a 1941 graduate of Tower Hill High School and Sparks Business College in Shelbyville, IL.

She was a member of Tower Hill Methodist Church in Tower Hill, IL. She was the first woman president of the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce, served on the State Tourism Board of Illinois, and was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and served as Grand Worthy Matron with her father-in-law, J.A. Culumber. She was an avid golfer, enjoyed watching sports, especially basketball, and was known for her fun-loving spirit and high energy.

Survivors include three daughters, Cheryl Ford and her husband Charles B. of Bella Vista, AR; Ellen Nelson and her husband Delbert of Burlington, and Luann Ingram and her husband Edward of Chalfont, PA; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Baptist of Jacksonville, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, John, and three brothers, Harry, Dick, and Ralph.

Funeral services were held Sunday, October 11, in Burlington, IA. Burial services were held Monday, October 12, 2009, in Tower Hill Cemetery in Tower Hill, IL with Woodrow Culumber officiating.

A memorial has been established for Alzheimer's Association.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Barbara's obituary at www.hassthielen.com.

The family wishes to apologize for the publication confusion.