Barbara Mae Johnson Breuer, 85, died on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at her home in Highland, Illinois.
She was born on June 23, 1940, in Brockton, Massachusetts to Chet and Louise Johnson. She married Leslie H. Breuer, Jr. on August 8, 1957. This coming August would have been their 69th wedding anniversary.
Barbara and Leslie farmed in Alhambra, IL for 43 years. She was a city girl who quickly learned how to take care of cows and horses. She loved living on the farm; she loved gardening and just being outside. She had a special love for all animals, caring for several dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, and birds over her life. She rescued baby bunnies and birds who were hurt. She rescued turtles, providing a sanctuary in the basement. She had a huge heart and shared her love for people and animals broadly.
Barbara was a homemaker and community volunteer. She was devoted to her family and her community. She had been an active member of the Collinsville-Troy Church of Christ since 1972. She held various roles as a teacher, program coordinator and served as church secretary for several years. She made daily calls to friends who were ill and provided hundreds of rides to church members and friends who needed rides to doctor’s appointments. She cared for several neighbors who were older and needed extra help, meals or car rides. She made regular visits to area nursing homes to visit friends, and she would often make new friends that she would add to her visiting list. Barbara and her daughter, Kara, worked as Election Judges in Madison County for several years and often volunteered to work elections in area nursing homes because of their shared special affection for older people.
She is survived by her husband, Leslie H. Breuer, Jr. of Highland, her 6 children: Greg Breuer of Jefferson City, MO, Anita and her husband, Michael Peters of Monona, WI, Dawna and her husband, Gary Miller of Highland, IL, Kim and her husband, Mike McHenry of Bloomington, IL, Tiffany Walsh of Highland, IL and Kara Breuer of Highland, IL. Barbara was a devoted grandmother to 13 grandchildren: Jacque, Tim and wife, Desteny, Lauren, Kelley, Barrett, Caleb, Joshua, Taylor, RJ, Ally, Kayla, Dalen and Logan and a proud great-grandmother to Ariahanna, Shane, Elizebeth, Greyson, Amelia, Matthew, Gloria, Zadie, Freya, Edith and Antiwon. She is also survived by her two youngest sisters, Marcia Holmes and husband Ed and Debbie Savage, all of Coats, NC.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Dotti and Nancy. She was also preceded in death by a son, Timothy.
There will be a visitation at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, Illinois on Monday, April 27th from 9-10:45am and service at 11am. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. James, Missouri on Tuesday with family attending.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Breuer Family Trust at 1703 Pine Street, Highland, Illinois, 62249.
