Barbara L. Kimmle, nee Koch, age 79, 4th generation O'Fallon resident, born March 1, 1939 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, to the late William H. and Regina M., nee Hemmer, Koch, passed away Friday, January 25, 2019 at her home.

She was a 1953 graduate of St. Clare School and a 1957 graduate of O'Fallon Township High School. On March 16, 1957, two months prior to graduation, she eloped all the way to Carlyle, Ill. with the love of her life Albert A. Kimmle. They were accompanied by their dear friends and witnesses, the late William G. and Mary Ann, nee Rohr, Dennerlein, who later witnessed their marriage at the St. Clare Rectory. Their marriage was blessed with their beloved daughter Cynthia Jane Kimmle. Al died January 12, 2013, the worst day of her life. They were married nearly 56 years. After working as a physician's secretary-receptionist, and legal secretary, in 1963 she began working at the former First National Holding Corporation of O'Fallon, Ill., becoming Executive Vice President, a member of the Board of Directors, and Managing Broker of its Real Estate Department. In 1982, she became Vice President and Managing Broker of the newly formed Fulford Realty, Inc. She was an active member of the former Belleville Board of Realtors and the MLS, was twice President of the former Belleville Women's Council of Realtors, and former officer and director of the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce. Her biography was listed in the 1977-78 and 1979-80 editions of Marquis' Who's Who of American Women, and in the 1984-85 edition of Marquis' Who's Who in the Midwest. In 1987 she quit the real estate business and began working as a financial consultant with Norman Backues & Associates, while taking courses part-time at Belleville Area College (BAC) preliminary to entering the Nursing Program. In November, 1989, she was initiated into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. In June 1991, she began working part-time at Belleville Memorial Hospital as a Student Nurse Extern. In May 1992, she graduated with honors from the BAC Nursing Program and began working at Memorial Hospital as a Staff R.N., and later as an Intervention Nurse until her retirement in 2007. She was a member of St. Nicholas Church and of Yesterday's Kids. She was a devout Catholic, a "dyed-in-the-wool" Republican, loved her family, cats, crossword puzzles, and Frank Sinatra.

In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her parents-in-law Edward E. and Hilda, nee Oelschlager, Kimmle, brother-in-law Edward A. Kimmle, and many dear family members and friends including Blackie and Mary Berger.

Barb had many dear friends, but was especially close to Elsie Aron, Dee Epping, Connie Harrison, Vance Huller, Donna Kloustermeyer, Lucy Rhyne, Lyn Trenary, Mary Morski, Ruth Ann Britt, and Mary Ann Bostick.

Surviving are her beloved daughter, best friend and lifetime companion, Cynthia Kimmle, her brother and sister-in-law William J. and Jeanne, nee Booth, Koch of Belleville, Ill., sister-in-law Mildred, nee Ahring, Kimmle of Troy, Ill., nieces Kay (the late Dr. Mark) Friederich of Troy, Ill., Karen (Dr. Dean) Drake of Fairview Heights, Ill., Dr. Kendall (Dr. James) Wachter of Carterville, Ill., nephew Kent (Gail) Kimmle of Lebanon, Ohio; aunt Melva, nee Mayhill, Hemmer of Sun City, Ariz., and many dear extended family members and friends.

Memorial donation may be made to St. Nicholas Catholic Church, St. Clare School, or in the form of Masses, or to the charity of choice.

Visitation: 9 – 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, with Rev. James Deiters, presiding. Interment to follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.