Kathleen 'Kay' Barmore Obituary (1923 - 2014)

Kathleen (Kay) Barmore, 90, longtime resident of Roscoe, IL, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2014 surrounded by her family. Kay was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Kay was born in Mansfield, OH, the daughter of Clyde and Beatrice (Hamlin) Wheeler. Kay met the love of her life, Paul, on a blind date. They celebrated 70 wonderful years together. They owned and operated Barmore’s Hardware & Variety in Roscoe from 1952 to 1973. Both Kay and Paul were actively involved in the Roscoe Methodist Church and the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department. Kay spent ten years known as the “Lunch Lady” working in the Kinnikinnick lunch program. She enjoyed her bridge group and square dance club. Her hobbies were sewing, knitting and art, which she expressed through the decorative window displays at their store. She enjoyed spending time with her family and touched the lives of many with her ability to engage others in conversation. A special thanks to the staff at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center and the Northern Illinois Hospice Association for taking excellent care of Kay. Kay is survived by her loving children Gayle (Bob) Kocher of Rockton, IL; Gary (Claudia) Barmore of Geneva, IL; Jill (Randy) Romano of Rockton, IL; Lana (Doug) Smith of Rockford, IL; and Allan (Sarah) Barmore of South Beloit, IL; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, eldest granddaughter Amy (Kocher) Joiner, her parents, her sister Fran, and brothers Eugene and Homer. Kay requested a private family burial at the Roscoe Cemetery and her family is honoring that wish. No other services are scheduled. McCorkle Funeral Home-Rockton Chapel, 767 N Blackhawk Blvd, Rockton, Illinois assisted the family. Memorials may be given in Kay’s name to the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department, PO Box 450, Roscoe, IL 61073