Barbara J. Mehl, age 84 of Stockton, IL, passed away at her home in Chicago, IL, Wednesday, August 28, 2013. She was born April 8, 1929 in Chicago, the daughter of Harold and Bess (Hall) Turner. She was a 1947 graduate of Oak Park – River Forest High School. She attended college at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA and College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn, IL. Barbara married Frederick Mehl on October 14, 1949 in Chicago. She had been employed at Charles A. Stevens and Wieboldt's Department Stores in the human resources dept. She was also co-owner and consultant for Continental Business Management, a business she and her husband started together. They retired and bought a farm in Woodbine Township where they now live. Barbara was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton where she had been chairperson of the library committee, and served as a lay member to the administrative council. She was also a member of the Conservation Foundation of JoDaviess County and of Home Extension through the University of Illinois. Barbara had a great passion for learning. She especially enjoyed reading and music. She played piano, guitar, and upright string bass in a local folk band, she also gave guitar lessons. Her hobbies included gardening, bird watching, and taking walks to look at wild flowers. Barbara is survived by her husband, Fred; two daughters, Kathy (Matt) McNellis of Warrenville, IL and Mary Wille of Warrenville; four sons, David of Sycamore, IL, John (Ellen) of Clayton, CA, Mark of Chicago, and Matthew (Megan) of Los Angeles, CA; six grandchildren, Christopher David Mehl, Gregory Allen Mehl, Gelsey Mehl, Meghan McNellis, Colleen McNellis, and Alex Wille; two great grandchildren, Ryan Patterson McNellis and Jackson David Mehl; and her brother, James Turner of Dayton, OH. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Betty Mandable; and daughter-in-law, Cynthia. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton at 11:30 AM. A memorial fund has been established.