Barbara Jean Ridgeway (93) of Newton 

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Barbara Jean (Crouch) Ridgway, 93, of Newton, went to be with her heavenly Father on December 12, 2025, at 3:13 am with her twin daughters by her side at the home of her daughter, Carolyn, where she had lived the last eight years.

Funeral services honoring Barbara’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Newton Free Methodist Church, Newton, Illinois with Pastor Matthew Scandrett officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of services, Saturday, December 20th , in the church. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton, Illinois.

Barbara was born on December 26, 1931, in Shelby County, Illinois, the daughter of Rev. Forrest and Leona Geneva (Rhodes) Crouch. On February 9, 1952, Barbara married Robert D. Ridgway. They shared forty-eight years of marriage before Bob’s passing on October 7, 2000. In additional to being a wife and mother, Barbara worked at Ruge Fashion Shop and Wolford’s Flowers for many years. Barbara was a lady of strong faith and her Christian life touched many people through the years. She was faithful to her Bible reading and praying even in the later years when she lived in constant pain. A member of the Newton Free Methodist Church, Barbara lived each day to honor Jesus Christ, her Lord and Saviour. Barbara dearly loved her family, they were her first priority after her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She was the kind of mom you could call five times a day, and she answered every single time. Her greatest joy later in life was becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother a role she truly embraced with her whole heart. In her free time, she enjoyed canning and freezing in the summer and tending her many beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed ceramics and quilting. Through the years, Barbara made many beautiful quilts and baby quilts for children, grandchildren, other family members and friends. Barbara was a giver and would assist others whenever she could. Barbara was always active in her church. She was a Sunday School Teacher for over forty years, Sunday School Superintendent, Director and taught Bible School a number of times, leader for the youth group along with teaching them.  She was a delegate to church conferences for a number of years. She was a lay speaker and active with the mission program of the conference and district. She often spoke at Mother Day’s programs and other gatherings. Barbara was willing to serve in whatever capacity she was asked to serve. In addition to church, Barbara was a member of the Jasper County Homemaker extension for over fifty years. During these years of membership, she served as president, vice-president and secretary of the council as well as the Homemaker Board. She also served on the Homemaker Extension State Board and taught training lessons for the unit leaders. Throughout her children’s growing up years, Barbara loved being involved in her children’s school and extracurricular activities. She served as Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, 4-H leader and room mother, as well as helping with other school activities.

Barbara will be loved and remembered by her twin daughters, Marilyn Ridgway of Charleston, IL and Carolyn Ridgway of Newton; son Dean Ridgway of Pana, IL; daughter, Twyla Harvey and husband Brian of Newton and son Keith Ridgway of Mokena, IL; four grandchildren, Carmen Kaufman and husband Michael of Naperville, IL, Nathaniel Ridgway and wife Whitney of Pana, IL, Jordan Ridgway and wife Erica of Columbia, IL and Connor Ridgway of Pana, IL; great-grandchildren Andrew Kaufman and Mason Kaufman of Naperville, Eleanor Ridgway and Henry Ridgway of Columbia and Jentree Ridgway of Pana, IL; several nieces and nephews and her Persian kitty, Scarlett.

Her parents, husband Robert, infant son Gene Ridgway and brother Richard Crouch preceded her in death.

Memorial gifts in honor of Barbara may be made to either the One Mission Society or to the Newton Free Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.crainfuneral.com.