Barbara J. Glick

Barbara Jane Glick, age 101, of Pekin passed away early Sunday morning, August 16, 2026, at Lutheran Hillside Village, Peoria.

Barbara was born in Evanston, IL. to Ovid E. Sinclair and Dorothy (Hunt) Sinclair on November 3, 1924. As a small child, she lived in Evanston and then Lacon,IL, but moved to Pontiac, IL. and lived there until she was married.

Barbara married Merle H. Glick on February 25, 1945 at Pontiac. They celebrated 69 years of marriage until Merle’s death on November 7, 2014.

Barbara is survived by three children: Claudie (Steve) Huey of Pekin, Jeffrey(Patricia) Glick of Cupertino, CA, and Laurie (Ken) Klopfenstein of Peoria. She was the proud grandma to four grandchildren: Gregory (Maegan Skahill) Knapp of Peoria, Carrie (Austin) Blessman of Chatham, IL, Kevin (Brittney) Glick of Sacramento, CA, and Stephanie (Matt) Stone of Castle Rock, CO. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Ellie Knapp, Charlie Knapp, and Everett Knapp of Peoria; Henry Blessman and Jack Blessman of Chatham, IL;and Ethan Stone and Tyler Stone of Castle Rock, CO. She also leaves behind her only niece, Mary (John) Cast of Belleville, MI.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Merle, her parents, her son John H. Glick, her daughter-in-law Nancy I. Glick, and an infant son James.

Barbara attended grades 1 through 12 in Pontiac, IL, graduating from Pontiac High School in 1942. She then attended Knox College in Galesburg, where she met Merle her freshman year. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated with a BA in chemistry from Knox College in 1946. During and after WW II Barbara and Merle twice lived in Boston while Merle attended Harvard. They then settled in Pekin, IL and lived there the rest of their married life.

Barbara was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pekin, since 1947. She taught Sunday School for many years and served on the Christian Service Board. She was also a member of Chapter LM of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, serving as president two different times. She loved to knit and was an organizer for the Knit-Witz group of knitters who made afghans for the Pekin House of Hope.

Other organizations that Barbara worked for in the past included the Fine Arts Society of Peoria (board member), AAUW, the Dirksen Center Guild, Pekin Women’s Club, the Y Reserves of Pekin, and the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta. She and Merle loved big band and classical music and were long time supporters of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. They also loved the arts and were both known for their ardent support of Lakeview Museum and now Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Barbara’s family and friends will remember her as a loving and kind lady to all.She was the first to take a casserole to a grieving family, knit an afghan for someone who was sick, or give money to someone who needed it. She loved her family, babies (especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren), cats, her travels to the Bahamas, dragonflies, birdwatching (especially her hummingbirds),her P.E.O. sisters, and her entire blessed life. Most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our family rejoices in this.

Our family thanks the entire staff of Lutheran Hillside Village for giving Barbara such good care for over 4 1/2 years.

Barbara’s memorial service will be at 10 A.M. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pekin. The Rev. Mark Drews will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, August. 21, 2026, at Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory in Pekin. Additional visitation will take place Saturday morning from 9 to 10 A.M. at the church before the funeral. Private family inurnment of Barbara’s ashes will take place following the memorial service.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Pekin or the Center for Prevention of Abuse (Carol House of Hope, Pekin), 720 W. Joan Ct., Peoria, IL61614.