VERGENNES – Barbara H. Alstat, 85, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, IL.

Barbara was born on December 10, 1939, in Gorham, IL, the daughter of William Vincent and Mabel M. (Gale) Shields. She married Wayne Gene Alstat on July 22, 1960, in Belleville, IL, and had 59 years together before Wayne preceded her in death on November 16, 2019. Together they had 4 children. Barbara grew up in St. Ann's Catholic Church, Raddle, IL and was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, Murphysboro, IL. She was also a member of Paul Stout American Legion Auxiliary Post #127, Murphysboro, IL. Barbara had spent time being a Woolworth Lunch Counter Girl in Miami, FL, a Telephone and Teletype Operator for AT&T in Miami, FL and St. Louis, MO. She then drove a School Bus for Elverado School District for 25 years. Barbara was a wonderful cook and hostess.

Barbara is survived by her children: Yvonne (Rick) Murray of Ava, IL, Alan (Sabrina) Alstat of Vergennes, IL, Laurie (Kevin) Rendleman of Vergennes, IL; her grandchildren: Andrew (Cheryl) Coleman of Riverton, WY, Tiffany (Paul) Woolf of Ava, IL, Hannah (Cutter) Will of Vergennes, IL, Elizabeth (Kevin) Bruce of Ft. Campbell, KY, Michael Alstat of Vergennes, IL, Danielle Alstat (Tony Arroyo) of Marion, IL, Clay Rendleman (Dani Morgan) of Murphysboro, IL, Heather Cox of Mcleansboro, IL; her great grandchildren: Mattie, Owen, Blair, Breanna, Alaina, Dawson; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Alstat of Vergennes, IL; her siblings: Mary Schuster of Murphysboro, IL, Ervin (Geri) Shields of St. Charles, MO, Connie (Leonard) Froemling of Ava, IL, and Joseph Shields of Sacramento, CA.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mabel, her husband, Wayne, a son, William (Bill) Alstat, her siblings: Vera Mueller, Theresa Lee, Jim Shields, Harold Shields, Wayne Shields, and Margaret Shields.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, at 11:00 am, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Raddle, IL, with Father Leo J. Hayes officiating. Burial to follow at Birkner Cemetery, Vergennes, IL. Visitation will be Monday morning, where friends may call from 9:00 am – 10:45 am at the church. Rosary to be recited at 10:45 am. Memorials may be given to St. Ann's Altar Sodality or Birkner Cemetery and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.