Barbara A. Etheridge, 88 of Aledo, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Mercy One Genesis, Aledo, with her family at her side. Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, January 31, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Visitation is 2 hours prior to services beginning at 9 a.m. Private family burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Etheridge Family or to the Developmental Service Center, Champaign, where her great-granddaughter, Avonlea, is active.
Barbara Ann Cushman was born on October 1, 1937, in Rockford, Illinois, to John and Helen (Newman) Cushman. She married Earl Etheridge on December 23, 1954, in Alpha, Illinois. He preceded her in death on June 28, 2020.
Barb worked for many years as a dispatcher for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and for the Mercer County Hospital in the Business Office. She also helped Earl with Etheridge Tree Service. Barb supported Earl in his love for Rodeos and helped him train and travel to the various Rodeos with him. They were always together.
Barb loved the simple life that she shared with her family, providing for them by gardening, canning, and devoting her time to raising them. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, painting ceramics, feeding the birds, especially hummingbirds, and collecting Jewel T dishes. Barb had beautiful penmanship and loved to write and receive letters, especially from old friends. She was a Die-Hard Chicago Cubs fan and loved to play bingo at Brookstone of Aledo.
Those left to cherish Barb’s memory include her children, Michael and Lorine Etheridge of Aledo, John and Debra Etheridge of New Boston, Illinois, LaVerne and Jenelle Etheridge of New Boston, Victoria and Ray Fiedler of Waukee, Iowa, and Daryl and Michelle Etheridge of New Boston; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.