Lena- Barbara E. (Barb) Wichman, 86, of Lena went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, with her family by her side. Barb was born on August 15, 1928 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Ellis L. and Irene May (Richardson) Smith. The Smith family in later years moved to Freeport, IL, where Barb graduated from Freeport High School in the class of 1946. Barb met Clark L. Wichman and they were married on November 26, 1948 at the Embury United Methodist Church in Freeport. They farmed together in the Bolton, IL area for many years and in 1962 they moved to Lena, IL where they continued to farm and raise their family. Barb was a member of the Lena Evangelical Free Church in Lena and a past member of the First Baptist Church in Freeport.

Surviving are their 5 children: Steven (Lynn) Wichman of Manchester, IA, Linda (Tim) Quinn, Cindy (Jeffrey) Smith, Vicki (Ronald) Watson and Elaine (Wayne) Gift all of Lena.
16 grandchildren: Jeremy (Alice) Wichman of Rockford, IL, Douglas Wichman of Creswell, OR, Adam (Ashley) Wichman of Ridot, IL, Matthew Wichman of Manchester, IA. Joshua (Crystal) Quinn of Brightwood, OR, Vincent Quinn, Patrick Quinn, and Daniel Quinn, Melissa (Ryan) Goebel, Elizabeth Smith all of Lena, IL, Benjamin (Tashona) Smith of Monroe, WI, Ronnie Watson of Freeport, IL, Amber Watson, Andrew Watson, Jerrid Gift and Ethan Gift all of Lena, IL.
13 great-grandchildren: Cody Quinn, Anna Quinn, Tyler and Zach Wichman, Nathan and Cierra Wichman, Tucker and Levi Wichman, Madalyn and Payton Goebel, Wil and Rylan Smith and Ayden Pierce.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Clark, on July 19, 2003, and 3 brothers, Richard, Larry and Donald Smith.

Barb was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, strong in her faith and love for God. She will be missed by her family.

Funeral Services will be Monday, March 2, 2015 at 11:00 AM., at the Lena Evangelical Free Church in Lena, IL.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the church.

All are invited to a luncheon that will be provided immediately following the service on Monday at the church.

Dr. James Erb will officiate.

Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory.