Barbara J. Gillan, 94, passed away at 8:45 pm Sunday, June 23, 2024 at Mt. Sterling Health and Rehab.  Born September 25, 1929, in Colfax, IL the daughter of Samuel and Olive (Lucas) Kelley, she was the youngest of six children.  Raised on a farm, she spent her childhood helping her father in the fields and with livestock.  Always a talented singer, she belonged to a vocal trio that entertained at school dances during her high school years.  She graduated from Colfax High School in 1947.

On January 9, 1949, she married Robert L. Gillan.  Together they raised three children; Kristal, Lance, and Parke.  Barbara was preceded in death by her son, Lance, who drowned on June 14, 1978, and her husband, Robert who died on January 10, 1999, one day after their 50th wedding anniversary.

Barbara was known as someone who loved to be around people.  Her house was always open to her friends and family.  She loved to play games and always played to win, even with grandchildren.  If company was not around, she still found ways to enjoy her games.  She taught herself to play pinochle online in virtual groups and daily worked on cryptograms.  She loved watching football and basketball games, Dancing With the Stars, The Bachelor, and the Game Show Channel.  Throughout her life she remained close with relatives.  As her grandchildren remember, "Grandma was fun!"

Barbara is survived by two children, Kristal (Byron) Johnson of Mt. Sterling and Parke Gillan of Towanda.  Six grandchildren also survive; Nicole Johnson of Mt Sterling, IL, Marcia (Benjamin) Ko of Oak Park, IL, Rodney (Layla) Johnson of Rockford, IL, Kathleen (Erik) Olsen of Chicago, IL, Adam (Jami) Johnson of Eagleville, TN, and Matthew Gillan of Arrowsmith, IL.  Ten great grandchildren also survive; Devon (Jess) Kuhn, Samuel, Noah, and Rachel Ko, Wyatt, Cora and Adeline Johnson, Quin, Elliot, and Audrey Olsen. One sister-in-law also survives, Delores Gillan of Bloomington, IL and numerous nieces and nephews.

Barbara was also preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law; Lilas (John) Greenlee, Lela (Ivan) Gleeson, and Irma (James) Clark, and brothers and sisters-in-law; Wayne (Lois) Kelley and Kenneth (Rose) Kelley.

Visitation will be 10:00 to 10:45 am Friday, June 28, 2024 followed by her funeral service at 11:00 am at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax. Pastor Dan Jassman will officiate.  Burial will be in Wiley Cemetery, Colfax.

The family suggests memorial be give to the Eastern McLean County Ambulance Association of the Colfax Fire Department.