It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Barbara R Wittenbrink, a beloved wife, mother,grandmother and friend.
Barbara R. Wittenbrink, 74, of Hernando Florida, passed away in the early morning on Monday, November 11, 2024 at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, Inverness Florida.
Barbara was born to the late Edwin S. and Genevieve Estelle (nee Ray) Robinson on October 24, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois.
Barbara grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois. She was a member of the National Honor Society in High School. She was a gifted artist who studied at the Art Institute of Chicago before attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
It is there on campus, after buying a bicycle for a six-pack of beer to replace her stolen bicycle; she met John after he recognized his bike that his friend sold her.
This sparked a fifty year long love story.
She graduated from Southern Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Elementary Education in 1974. She went on to apply her talents as a substitute teacher, including art education.
She married the love of her life John Joseph Wittenbrink on July 12, 1974.
During their fifty years of marriage she touched and enriched the lives of many as she and John moved across the United States, residing in Peoria, Illinois; Waterloo, Illinois; Brighton, Michigan; Clayton, California and Hernando, Florida.
Barbara’s enthusiasm for celebrating the successes of everyone she met was a defining part of her generous spirit, making her a beloved friend and ‘cheerleader’ to all.
Barbara was an avid gardener, she loved to entertain guests, hosting many Halloween and Christmas parties over the years; she enjoyed quilting, crafting, knitting, and crocheting, creating beautiful quilts, table runners, and place mats she gifted to friends.
She was also an avid animal lover, having many beloved cats over the years. Barbara adored German Shepherd dogs and raised them for a number of years before closing her kennel when the family moved into town in the 90’s.
Barbara was a family historian who enjoyed documenting the family’s history and genealogy, as well as sending out Christmas cards and birthday wishes.
Barb is survived by her husband of 50 years John, her two children Mercedes Wittenbrink and Aaron John (Elizabeth) Wittenbrink, her grandchildren Briannah, Adam, Allison, Alexander and Avery Wittenbrink and sister Joan Robinson (Jimmy Miccucio) and niece Katy Leigh Miccucio.
Barbara was taken from us too soon, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness.
You were taken from us far too soon and we will miss helping you with your morning crossword puzzle.
Visitation will be 9 –11 a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Evansville, Illinois.
A funeral for 74-year-old Barbara R. Wittenbrink of Hernando, Florida, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 16 2024 at the Pechacek Funeral Homes, Evansville, Illinois. Officiating: Fr. Iuvenius Iheme, Fr. Steven Pautler
Interment in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Evansville, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to any Right to Life organization of your choosing in Barbara’s memory – California Right to Life (https://www.calrighttolife.org/donate), Florida Right to Life (https://frtl.org/give/), Illinois Right to Life (https://illinoisrighttolife.org/donate/), or Right to Life of Michigan (https://rtl.org/donate/)