99, of Macomb
Barbara “Barb” Lee Stoneking Krohe Heaton age 99, of Wesley Village in Macomb, Illinois passed away at 11:38 AM Thursday, May 14, 2026.
She was born in McDonough County on August 29, 1926 to Leon “Pete” and Hazel Fugate Stoneking. She married Edward Eugene “Gene” Krohe June 27, 1947. They welcomed one child, Edward Lee Krohe. Her son passed away shortly after birth in 1952, followed by Gene on March 10, 1953. She then married Stanley “Bill” Heaton on February 10, 1956. They welcomed one child together, Brent Stanley Heaton. She and Bill later divorced. She is also proceeded in death by her parents, sister Pauline McGlasson (2003), two nieces and two nephews.
She is survived by her son, Brent (Christine Bozard) Heaton of Industry, IL, a sister Denise Ann “Annie” Chenoweth of Macomb, IL, two granddaughters Erika Eppinger of Scottsdale, AZ, Dayna (Carson) DeJoode of Brownsburg, IN, six great-grandchildren Kaelyn, Eliana, Hailey & Reese Eppinger and Everette & Ember DeJoode. She was Aunt Barb to nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, greatgreat nieces and great-great nephews, Gene’s niece Elyse Williams and Godchild Barbara Smith Duke.
She lived most of her life in McDonough County and the surrounding area. She graduated from Macomb High in 1944 and was a long-time attendee of the First Baptist Church of Macomb. She worked several jobs over her lifetime. She started out at McKomb Steel Products after graduation. She was a Peoria Journal Star/relay driver in Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler Counties, a secretary at WIU, and then worked at Macomb City Clerk’s office until retiring in 1994. She kept busy in retirement, spending time visiting family and friends. She even went parasailing when she was 80 years old.
