Barbara E. Wilhelms

Barbara Ellen Wilhelms, 74, of Ottawa passed away Monday, March 11, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am, Friday, March 15 at St. Patrick's Church, with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 am, prior to services, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.

Barb was born December 1, 1944 in Kankakee, IL to Vernon and Betty (Erzinger) Sonday. She married her beloved Allen R. Wilhelms on September 20, 1969 at St. Patrick's Church and was devoted to him until he passed away September 22, 2007.

Barb was a proud graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1962. She dedicated her professional career to the Appellate Court in Ottawa. She began as a clerk in 1975 and rose to become Chief Deputy Clerk retiring in 2003. She was proud of the work she did and loved those she shared it with. Barb was a life-long member of St. Patrick's Church and spent her life in service to others. Whether as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother or friend Barb found a way to make you feel loved. Barb was kind without fail and sought out for her quiet comfort. She listened without judgment and always offered a place to rest and restore. She was an example of generosity and selflessness to her family and always remembered to send a card for holidays and birthdays. The great joy in Barb’s life was her grandchildren and she was an active participant in their lives.

She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Goetsch of Ottawa; three grandkids, Colby Reed, and Logan and Kailey Goetsch; her sister-in-law, Deb Sonday and her children Amanda, Chase, and Alex Sonday; and her niece Brandi (Jud) Patterson and their children, Flanary, Lainey, Reagan, and Rosie Patterson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers, Jeff and Allen Sonday.

Pallbearers will be Jud Patterson, Chase Sonday, Alex Sonday, Colby Reed, Jim Krawczyk, and Tim Swiontek.

Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Church, Ottawa YMCA, or a charity of the donor's choice.