Barbara Ellen Miazga, 81
Born: September 7, 1942 (Woodstock, Illinois)
Died: February 1, 2024 (Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Illinois)
Barbara Miazga was a loving, family woman who made a significant impact on the lives of many with her calming/steadying influence, go-go-go nonstop motor, and extremely sharp wit.
Barbara grew up on the family farm in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and was a graduate of Crystal Lake Community High School. She also attended Western Illinois University in Macomb where she studied education, following in the footsteps of her mother.
During a colorful professional career, Barbara worked at United Airlines, for Community Unit School District 300, Follett, Qualex and Eastman Kodak Co. As an educator in District 300’s, at-the-time, rough-and-tumble behavioral disorder program, Barbara logged stints at the now defunct Spain Center (old Dundee High School), Kings Road Elementary School and Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville.
It was at United Airlines where Barbara met her future husband, Dennis. The inseparable couple was married for 56 years, celebrating that recent year-56 milestone in January.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, the highly notable Crystal Lake power couple Lester and Ida Ebel, sister, Ruth Ann (Rhody) Kramer, brother-in-law, Frank Kramer, in-laws, Joseph and Jean Miazga, of Island Lake, cats, Oscar, Betty, Willie and Wally, as well as longtime Elmhurst canine confidant Fenway the Beagle, who expired in January at the rare dog age of 18.
In addition to husband, Dennis, Barbara is survived by sons, Mike Miazga (daughter-in-law, Kristin Herigodt-Miazga; granddaughter, Kyleigh Miazga) and Grant Miazga (grandson, Danny Miazga); sister, Kathy Wiltberger; brother-in-law, Robert Wiltberger; nieces, Amy Kramer, Allison Kramer and Christine (nee Wiltberger) Brown (husband Peter Brown; children, Emmett and Ida Rose); and nephews, Andy Wiltberger (wife Tracy; twin children, Ashley and Nathan) and Jeff Wiltberger (wife Erica; children, Andrew Joseph and Alexander), as well as cats, Murphy (46 pounds) and Wrigley, and Elmhurst-based grand beagles Beckett and Shiloh.
In addition to being a champion of fashion and hair/skin care, Barbara also was a connoisseur of early 80s prime time soap operas “Dallas,” “Falcon Crest,” “Dynasty” and “Knots Landing” and “Quincy,” among others. Over the years, Barbara loved reciting a scene from “Dallas” where main character J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman) put down adversary Cliff Barnes (played by Ken Kercheval) by telling him “You’re gonna bankrupt your mama’s company and wind up just like your daddy, a drunk and a bum.”
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Sherman Hospital in Elgin for their exceptional care and compassion during Barbara’s extended residency there, particularly those staff members on the hospital’s fifth floor.
Barbara was laid to rest at Crystal Lake Memorial Park cemetery. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held this spring.
Please consider a donation in Barbara’s honor to the COPD Foundation (www.copdfoundation.org).
