Barbara Dian Greenberg, 93, of Savoy, IL, formerly of Naperville, IL, passed away at 12:20 P.M. Sunday May 11, 2025, at Savoy Place Memory Care in Savoy, IL. She was born on November 28, 1931, in Mattoon, IL, the daughter of Harold G. Severns and Eloise Alice (Herron) Severns. She married Russell J. Greenberg on November 4, 1955, in Mattoon, IL.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa Anne Howe of Normal, IL (Gary Seguin of Tuscola, IL); her son, Ronald Jay Greenberg of Olney, IL; brother, retired Lt. Col. USAF Bill (Mary) Severns of Hilton Head, SC; sister-in-law, Vera Severns of Mattoon, IL; six grandchildren, Meghan (Vince) Cesareo of Oro Valley, AZ, Joshua (Jenna) Howe of Mahomet, IL, Ryan (Jessica) Howe of Normal, IL, Brook (Felipe) Ciprian of Sebree, KY, Danielle Greenberg of Olney, IL, and Alexis (Mitchell) Rose of Parkersburg, IL; seventeen great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Connor, and Logan Cesareo, Kalli White, Zoey, Quinn, Monroe, and Payton Howe, Kendall and Lochlynn “Ellie” Howe, Braghen and Braysen Sloat, Briella and Finn Ciprian, Lukas Milburn, Layiah Greenberg, and Jasper Hibbs; and several nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded in death by her first husband, 1st Lt. Robert M. Crosley, MIA; her second husband, Russell J. Greenberg; her parents; siblings, Patricia A. Jeffries and Robert G. Severns; and daughter-in-law, Jacqueline D. Greenberg.
Barbara was a homemaker, caring for her family. She enjoyed volunteer work serving as a past Girl Scout, Brownie, and Cub Scout Den Leader.
Barb delighted in working in her flower beds and finding new and interesting varieties to add to her collection. She collected rocks that she found on family trips to line her beds. Digging in the earth was both her solace and happy place. She loved bird watching, particularly hummingbirds and in later life, Baltimore Orioles. She planted specific flowers to attract the hummingbirds. Multiple bird feeders were placed outside of her living room picture window to draw birds of all kinds and Barb had bird guides to identify them. Barb enjoyed listening to music, attending live musicals and theatre, watching old movies, traveling, reading, puzzles, and games. She was fondly referred to as “The Card Nazi” in family Sevens From Hell cards game circles. She was passionate and compassionate. Barb was a force of nature sometimes to be reckoned with but would have gladly given the shirt off of her back to anyone in need of it. Above all else, Barb’s family was her most cherished and prized possession. She thrived on time spent with family members and would have attempted to move heaven and earth for any one of them. Barb was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, but most notably she was a generous giver.
A visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Tuesday May 27, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 27th, at the funeral home with Roger Schmidgall officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Barbara to the Alzheimer's Association.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Barbara’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
