Barbara Jean Paul, 91 a lifelong resident of Freeport, passed away peacefully on a beautiful sunshiny day at Saint Joseph's Ascension Living in Freeport on October 1, 2023. Barb was born August 19, 1932 to Leroy and Miriam (Fehr) Farnam in Freeport. She married Dexter R. Witt on May 16, 1953 (divorced) and then on June 28, 1986 married Leonard J. Paul (deceased March 20, 2003).

Barb graduated from Freeport High School in the summer of 1950 and was a member of several high school singing clubs and the lifelong "Cootie Club."

Her career in Freeport was quite extensive and she made a friendly impact wherever she worked. In the '60s Barb worked at Penny's in the Freeport Lincoln Mall in the drapery and curtain department. She also worked at the Freeport Medical Clinic, the State Bank of Freeport, Knollwood Estates, and the Union Savings Bank of Freeport where she retired in 1996. Her last joy of employment was working part-time at Oakley Courts which she retired from two years ago at age 89 because she, "No longer wanted to drive in the winter."

Barb was a member of various committees and groups including, Embury United Methodist Church, Treasurer of United Methodist Women's Bosom Buddies Cancer Support Group, as well as on the committee for Freeport High School class reunions for many years. She was last a member of Harmony Church in Freeport.

Hobbies were a large and fun part of Barb's schedule. She was in various card clubs since the '50s. She also enjoyed sewing for many years as in her early years because stores didn't make clothes her size so she had to sew her own. In her prime Barb was six feet, one inch tall. Barb was also an avid cook as were her mother and her grandmother Farnam. She also loved traveling and driving (mostly without directions) to see and visit friends and relatives. She often drove to Mississippi to enjoy time with her stepson and his family. Barb enjoyed musicals, Showtime, plays, as well as loving cardinals and lighthouses. Her musical collection was quite extensive and loved listening to all kinds of music. In her youth she and her family loved camping in Colorado almost every summer. Barb was also very social and loved being with her friends. Her favorite activity was doing things with her three grandchildren, as they were the love of her life.

She is survived by her son, Douglas Witt (Vivian Bright), her step children, Richard (Shirley) Paul, Patricia (Gerald) Diehl, her three grandchildren, Madeleine (Chikara) Saito, Dillon Witt, and Frances Witt, Step Grandchildren Amanda Scara, Teresa (Vishwish) Bhatt, her sister Margaret (Allen) Randecker, Her nieces and nephew Debbie (Mark) Heidenreich, Jeffrey (Sharon) Randecker, Carolyn (David) Hellyer, Kimberly (Tom) Brucker, and Janet (Joe) Dvorak. Her special cousin is James (Susan) Lenz. Sister-in-law, Phyllis (Duane) Boos and her daughter, Linda. Great step grandchildren, Sawyer and Shelby Scara. Many great nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Barb was preceded in death by her Aunt Vivian (Elmer) Moss on March 10, 2021, and her cousin Audrey (Bill) Upmeyer on December 23, 2020, as well as Audrey's son Steve (Jane) Upmeyer on December 8, 2021.

Services will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023 with visitation starting at 1:00 pm and a service being held at 2:00pm at Walker Mortuary. Pastor Eddie Eddy will be officiating.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com.