Barbara Anne Fear (83) of Toledo

Barbara Anne (Bickley) Fear, 83, of Toledo, Illinois (formerly of Neoga) passed away at 11:58 p.m., August 13, 2018, at Copper Creek Cottages Memory Care Facility in Mattoon.

Memorial Services will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, August 20 in the Swengel-O’Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, with Pastor Ray Blair of Newton, officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m., Monday, until service time at the funeral home. Some of her ashes will be sent to her brother, in England to be scattered in a memorial garden with her parent’s ashes. Online condolences may be left at swengel-odel.com

Barb was born in London, England October 6, 1934, the daughter of Walter and Gladys (Healy) Bickley. In 1952, she met a handsome, American airman whom she married November 28, 1953, in Hounslow, England. Barbara and Roland “Gene” Fear spent 59 years together traveling the world and enjoying life until Gene’s death March 7, 2013. Barbara was an amazingly strong woman.  At the age of 21, she left her home country for her husband’s USA, with a one-year-old in tow.  When her favorite daughter was born, Gene received orders for Japan.  Their new baby was not old enough to go yet, so Barb “held down the fort” until the precious baby was six-months-old.  At that time she took off with a two-year-old and six-month-old from Illinois to California via train, caught the proverbial “slow boat to Japan” and joined her husband.  She continued her life never complaining, just looking forward to the next great adventure. Barb was a 50+ year member of the Eastern Star serving in several offices, including Worthy Matron. She belonged to the Neoga Presbyterian Church and also attended Toledo Christian Church.

Barb loved to travel and had visited most of the states and many different countries.  For a time she raised and trained great danes and truly loved them (and all her pets).  She enjoyed attending antique car shows with Gene and visiting with their many friends. There are no words that can express the thankfulness and love the family feels for the staff of Copper Creek Cottages. They all truly loved her, and took excellent care of her.  They could not have asked for more.  Also, to Cassie and Jillian at Lincolnland Hospice, thank you. They could not have done it without you. They love you all! Memorials may be made to the Copper Creek Cottages in care of Steven Fear, 18090 North 800th. Street, Jewett, IL  62436

Barbara leaves one son, Steven (Valerie) Fear of Gila; one daughter, Michelle (Kent) Greeson of Toledo; one brother, Donald (Betty) Bickley of Hounslow, England; six grandchildren, Brandi (Scott) O’Dell, Emmy Lou (Darren) Iffertt, Joshua (Scarlett) McBride, Stevie (Phillip) Finn, Paige Huber, Everett (Jenny) Fear; one step-grandson, Kyle Greeson; 13 great-grandchildren, Dillon Howard, Jake and Ivy Iffertt, Dakota, Hallie and Ross McBride, Ava, Caiden and Gus Finn, Mack and Hank Huber, Jaxen and Lexie Fear and one more expected in October.  She also leaves many nieces and nephews both in England and the United States.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one brother, Malcolm Bickley.