Gladys Barkau

Gladys Barkau

Miss Gladys Barkau of Okawville, IL departed this life in the Friendship Manor Health Care Center in Nashville, IL on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 3:45 A.M. She had attained the age of 95 years, 8 months and 15 days.

Gladys was born on the family farm near Johannisburg, IL on October 11, 1924 the daughter of Charles and Ida (nee Meyer) Barkau. While growing up on the farm, she attended the Johannisburg Grade School while still helping her parents on the farm.

Gladys worked as a dietician at Grange Nursing home until 1984, when she relocated to Olustee, OK to be closer to her sister, Esther. Before moving, Miss Barkau was a faithful member of the St. Peter United Church of Christ in Okawville where she was a member of the Women’s Guild, taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. Once out in Oklahoma she was an active member of the Olustee Community Church and worked as a dietician at Jackson County Memorial Hospital until retiring and returning to Okawville in 2014. Gladys enjoyed sewing, working out in her yard, and cooking. She was also known as a handyperson and could fix nearly anything from a leaky roof to a leaky faucet. Most of all she loved helping out her family whenever she could.

Left to mourn her passing is a sister, Leona Schrader and husband Ralph of Okawville, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Leroy, Stanley and Roy Barkau; and a sister, Esther Davis.

In accordance with the wishes of the family, cremation was performed.

Graveside services with interment of ashes will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. at the St. Peter United Church of Christ Cemetery in Okawville with Pastor Jeffrey Schwab officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Peter’s Church Choir Fund or to American Legion Post 233 in Okawville and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com