Barbara Jean Conners, 67, of Rotonda West, Florida, passed away March 30 at her home. She was born Oct. 6, 1953, in Quincy, Illinois, to John and Elizabeth “Betty” (Feld) Holtschlag who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband Clarence “Butch” Conners; sons Lee Wernowsky and Kris Wernowsky and grandchildren Sierra, Kaylee, Justin and Willow.
She is also survived by her loving family including sisters Janet (Holtschlag) Woerman, Jane (Holtschlag) Graham, June (Holtschlag) Stanger, Susie (Holtschlag) Huffmyer, Debbie (Holtschlag) Midiri, Donna (Holtschlag) Wollbrink and brothers Jeff Holtschlag, Jerry Holtschlag and Jack Holtschlag.

She was preceded in death by brothers Donald, James, Joe and John Holtschlag and sisters Joann (Holtschlag) Taylor and Rosie (Holtschlag) McCormick.

She is also survived by countless cousins and nieces and nephews who adoringly referred to her as “Aunt Barb.”

A daughter of Quincy’s south side, Barb was raised by her loving mother, a hardworking father and a variety of older siblings. People remember her fondly for her spirit, and her willingness to go far out of her way to help others in need.
Barb retired from the Quincy Public School district in 2016 where she worked for years serving lunch to students at Washington Middle School who called her “Miss Barb.” Like so many other people whose lives she touched, Barb felt a special connection with many of her students whom she taught about good nutrition and ensured they had a good breakfast, a solid lunch, and when she could, extra food to take home for the weekends.

She married Butch in 1987. The long-time lovers of beaches and boating, they retired in recent years to live on the Gulf of Mexico in Central Florida.

A memorial visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home at 823 Broadway St., Quincy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in her name to Quanada Shelter in Quincy or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.