Barbara Jean Bollwerk, nee Kendall, age 91, of O'Fallon, was born March 22, 1933, in Itta Bena, Miss., passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at her home in O'Fallon, Ill.

In 1960, Barbara would meet the love of her life, John Joseph Bollwerk Jr., while he was completing pilot training at Greenville AFB in Mississippi. It was love at first sight. They married on October 10, 1961.

With the exception of the time John served in the Vietnam War, Barbara followed him on each of his military assignments. They resided in many places across the United States before settling in O'Fallon, Ill.

Barb was one of the most loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She truly lived to help take care of her loved ones. She always took extra time to leave someone a special note or gift to make them feel more loved and special.  She never forgot to send a card or gift to all  her loved ones whenever it was their special day. She often put  her family's needs before her own! She got true pleasure out of seeing other people happy!

A classy lady who was always dressed to the nines for every occasion, Barbara could strike up a conversation with anybody, expressing her honest opinion, in her genuine southern style, and almost always while using her hands for emphasis. She enjoyed tending to her flowers, and keeping a beautiful yard-such as it was showcased in the 2013 O'Fallon Garden Tour. Known fondly as the "The Garage Sale Lady," she had a knack for bargain-hunting at various garage sales and auctions, as well as refurbishing some of these finds with the help of John. She formerly owned and operated "Classic Creations" selling antiques and restoring furniture.  Barbara took pleasure in decorating her home, as was evident by the remarkable holiday and seasonal décor.  She enjoyed cooking delicious food for her family and friends during the holidays and traveling to visit family and friends. Barb was also an avid Cardinals baseball fan.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Willie Clayton Kendall and Irene Eugene Kendall (nee Burt); her brothers Thomas Howard Kendall and Willie Darrel Kendall; sisters-in-law Erma Faye Kendall (Thomas) and Bea Kendall (Willie)

Barbara is survived by her loving husband John, to whom she was married for over 62 years; children Guido "Butch" Anthony Palasini (Linda D.), Kathryn "Kat" Ann Palasini, Elizabeth Maria Lathangue (Victor A.), Donna Marie Diestelkamp (Robert A.); her grandchildren Jennifer Batson Palasini, Barry Tripp Henderson (Carrie L.), Christopher Ryan Lathangue, Erica Lindsay Lathangue, Lauren Elizabeth Lathangue, Andrew John Medina, Tristan Michael Medina (Kelly M. Samaniego Lopez), Michael Andrew Medina, Ashley R. Whatley; and great grandchildren Braxton Tripp Henderson and Evelyn Lynn Henderson.

Memorial donations are suggested to: St. Nicholas Catholic Church.

Visitation: 4-8 pm, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon, IL, and after 9 am, Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the church with Rev. Nick Junker presiding. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.