Barbara June (Loyd) Stoedter

Barbara June (Loyd) Stoedter, age 71, of Springfield, passed peacefully in her home on February 24, 2024.  

Born June 7, 1952, in Decatur to Rev. Noel “Gene” and Betty June Loyd. Barb grew up in small towns throughout southern Illinois. She was a graduate of Carterville High School and attended Gateway Bible College. In 1971, Barb married her husband of 52 years, Robert “Bob” Stoedter. They welcomed two children, Angela (John) Turasky and Robert “Bob” (Rebecca) Stoedter. Barb and Bob owned a grocery store in Effingham before moving to Marion. After the grocery store they managed in Marion was destroyed by a tornado, they moved to the Springfield area in 1982. From 1988 to 2008, Barb was a nanny for three girls: Johanna Collier, Alexandra (Collier) Walsh, and Marissa (Collier) Ruebhausen. Affectionately known as “Nana”, Barb treasured the time she spent with all her grandchildren JT (Kelsey) and Amy Turasky, MacKenzie, Katelyn, Kara, and Robby Stoedter; great-grandson Miller Turasky; and honorary grandchildren Lucille and Oscar Walsh, Flora Schillebeeckx, and Elise Ruebhausen. Beginning in the early 1990s, Barb started her own business cleaning houses across the Springfield area; some of Barb’s clients were with her for more than twenty years.

Barb was an avid gardener and reader as well as a talented crocheter and loved to make large homemade meals for family gatherings. She collected carousel horses, built intricate dollhouses, and loved oldies and country-western music. During the summers, Barb enjoyed camping with her family at Honey Bend campground in Litchfield. Barb also enjoyed spoiling her dog Brutus and pet bird Robbie. While usually a homebody, Barb enjoyed reminiscing about the anniversary cruise she and Bob took as well as their other travels around the United States. Most importantly to Barb and those who knew her, she was dedicated to spending time with and caring for her family. Though diagnosed with dementia toward the end of her life, Barb always found peace spending time with her friends and family. This was represented by the large gatherings at her house towards the end of life.

Barb was preceded in death by her father Gene; brother-in-law Clyde Stoedter; and Jackie Harris Pankey, her best friend of sixty years. She is survived by her husband Bob; children Angela and Bob; honorary daughters Johanna, Alexandra, and Marissa; mother Betty; brothers Rev. Tommy (Gerry) Loyd and Rev. Gary (Trecie) Loyd; sister Linda Loyd; six grandchildren; 4 honorary grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and four aunts and one uncle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or the Animal Protective League (apl-shelter.org). 

Visitation will be held at Ellinger-Kunz and Park Funeral Home (530 North 5th St. Springfield, IL 62702) on Friday March 1, 2024 from 10:00 am till the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 am

For those who wish to share their stories of time with Barb a luncheon will follow the memorial at New Beginnings Apostolic Church. A private burial will be held at a later date.

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