Barbara Haegele

Barbara Lynn Haegele 61, of Urbana, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 19th, 2025 at Haven of Bement in Bement, Illinois. Barbara, daughter of Marilyn (Burrow) Haegele and Galen Haegele, was born on January 23rd, 1964 in Urbana, Illinois. She graduated from Urbana High School in 1982. She then attended McMurry College in Jacksonville, Illinois and transferred to the University of Illinois, where she graduated with degrees in English and Business. While she attended college, she worked at the Illini Union. She continued working for the U of I at the College of Medicine after graduating and later transferred to McKinley Health Center.

Barbara loved animals, especially dogs. For a short time, she worked at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). She also volunteered her time helping various rescues with adoptions. She herself adopted 6 dogs from rescues. Her dogs were her life. She also loved to read, her favorite book being “The Secret Garden”. She really enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She cherished her time with her nieces and nephews. Auntie Barb, as they called her, loved playing games, doing crafts, and taking them shopping.

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn, her sister, Jennifer, her mother’s twin sister and husband, Carolyn and Lyle Malinowski.

Left to cherish her memory include her father, Galen (Debra) Haegele of Cumming, Iowa. Sister, Dawn (Troy) Toler of Clarinda, Iowa. Nieces and nephews, Andrew Haegele of Chicago, Illinois, Abigail (Carma) Kirkman of Bedford, Indiana, Ashley (Johnnyray) Kennedy of Paris, Illinois, Jacob (Roxie) Toler of Belgrade, Montana, Grant Toler of Clarinda, Iowa, Madison (Connor) Stull of Orange City, Iowa, and Isabella Toler of Clarinda, Iowa. Great niece and nephew, Scarlett and Faolan of Belgrade, Montana. She will be greatly missed by many members of her family and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Freese Funeral Home, Tolono.  Burial will follow at Davis Cemetery, Pesotum.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7PM Friday at the funeral home.

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