Barbara McKellar's Obituary
Barbara M. McKellar, 89, of Vandalia, IL passed away at 5:05 PM, Thursday, July 18, 2024 at SBL Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 AM, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Hohlt & File Funeral Home, Vandalia. A Private Graveside Service and Interment will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia with Rev. Robert Weaver officiating. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia or S.A.F.E. Organization. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com.
Barbara Marie Rahn was born on February 18, 1935 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Ernest H. and Margaret A. (Pfleger) Rahn; Barbara’s mother passed away at a young age, and she was raised by her father’s sister, Irma and husband Roy Schlemmer in Mt. Prospect, IL.
She married the love of her life, James Todd McKellar on December 21, 1957. Together they celebrated 61 years of marriage and raised two children; he preceded her in death on February 25, 2019.
Barbara graduated from Monmouth College and taught at Lincoln Elementary School in Vandalia, IL before she and Todd raised their children. Afterwards, Barbara volunteered for over 25 years with the S.A.F.E. organization. She also was very active performing in numerous musicals with the Centralia Cultural Arts Society and her local community.
She was a devout member of the First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia where she was choir director for decades. Barbara was a doting grandmother, she loved spending time traveling, fishing, and boating with her family.
Mrs. McKellar is survived by her son, Michael McKellar and wife, Carol of Elgin; daughter, Meg and husband, Todd Marquardt of Vandalia; grandchildren, Olivia and Hayden Marquardt and Katie, Kristen, and Matthew McKellar; sister, Marilyn Gillette of Grand Rapids, MI; many, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorothy Anderson.
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