Barbara "Barb" Jane Hiepler

Barbara (“Barb”) Jane Hiepler, 79, of Loves Park, IL, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2023, at her home after a battle with kidney disease. She spent her final days with her loved ones by her side.

Barb was born on October 18, 1943, to Lt. Colonel Rex H. Light and Sarah L. Light at Camp Mackall, Southern Pines, North Carolina. She was the first of two children.

Barb was a proud army brat. The family moved around the United States throughout her childhood, including a year in Japan where she learned to ride a bike. They eventually settled in the Harrison/Durand area where she graduated from Durand High School in 1961. 

After high school, Barb was employed by Central Illinois Electric & Gas (CIE&G), where she made many lifelong friends. She remained at CIE&G until she married and started her family. She was proud of the family she created and loved them fiercely. She was later employed by Bergner’s/Carson Pirie Scott & Co. for numerous years until she retired.

Growing up on her family’s farm allowed her to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. She had an appreciation for wildlife and enjoyed birdwatching from her back patio. Barb enjoyed watching golf and followed politics on her favorite channel — Fox News. Barb was known to speak her mind and when she did, everyone knew her strong and opinionated views. She was a skilled storyteller and devoted dog lover. Her life was full of love, laughter, friendship, and packages from QVC arriving on her doorstep every day. She left behind a lot of stuff to her children who have no idea what to do with it, including the ashes of her dog. She lived life how she wanted, and damned were the consequences.

She is survived by her children; Lisa Conard of Loves Park, IL, Todd (Kristen) Hiepler of Naperville, IL, Robin (Joe) Schofield of Loves Park, IL, grandchildren; Marissa (Matt) Hulse and Jordyn Conard, Amelia, Penelope, Ev, Harrington, and Theodore Hiepler, and Megan and Jack Schofield, great-grandchildren; Annie and Lydia Hulse, sister; Linda (Dennis) Damon of South Beloit, IL; along with multiple nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rex and Sarah Light, Grandma Ruby, Papa Clem, and her beloved dogs Buster and Lizzy.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Barb’s niece, Jennifer Walling, for assisting with her care, along with the OSF Hospice Team.

A celebration of life will be held at Sam’s Ristorante Banquet Hall (6075 E Riverside Blvd, Rockford, IL 61114) on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to GiGi’s Playhouse or Noah’s Ark, organizations for which Barb strongly cared.

“The guardian angels of life fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us.” - Jean Paul Richter