Barbara M. Wilton, age 71, of Carlyle, passed away at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Barb was born in Breese, Illinois, on June 8, 1955, a daughter of the late Arnold and Bernice (Kohrs) Winter. She married Michael Wilton at St. Dominic’s Church in Breese on August 21, 1976, and he survives in Carlyle.
In addition to her husband, Mike, Barb is also survived by two daughters, Jenny Hotze-Wilton and Laurie Diamond; her grandchildren, Courtney Waugh and husband James, Hollyn Diamond and fiancé Aidan Seemiller, Ian Diamond and girlfriend Reagan Tanner, Owen Hotze-Wilton, and Olive Hotze-Wilton; two brothers, Hal Winter and wife Vicky and Karl Winter and wife Lori; a sister, Brenda Woodrome and husband Carl; a sister in law, Kathy Winter; a brother in law, Robert E. Wilton; nephew, David Wilton and wife Stephanie, and many more nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law, Thomas Diamond; a brother, Glennon Winter; and her parents-in-law, Robert H. and Olive L. Wilton.
Barb began her career with the Air Weather Service and the U.S. Army before going to work for the Department of Defense at Scott Air Force Base. While the girls were young, she paused her career and ran a daycare in her home. She later returned to and eventually retired from Scott Air Force Base as a security specialist following many years of service. Barb was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle and St. Ann Altar Sodality, where she took an active role in planning and serving funeral luncheons. Above all, Barb cherished her family and especially enjoyed being involved in the lives of her grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 28, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church, 1171 Livingston St., Carlyle, IL. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Carlyle. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton St., Carlyle, IL, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM and on Monday, September 28, from 8:00 – 9:30 AM.
Expressions of sympathy in Barb’s memory are kindly suggested to St. Ann Altar Sodality or the Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois Foundation. Donations will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
