Barbara J. Bolander, 82, of Washington, Illinois, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, at her residence.

She was born on June 23, 1944, in Peoria, the daughter of Eugene and Clara Lowe Maxwell. She married James “Joe” Bolander on November 18, 1977. He passed away on July 3, 2025. She was also preceded in death by one son, Christopher; two brothers, Gene Maxwell Jr. and David Maxwell; and one sister, Donna Wright.

Her surviving family members include her children, Kathy (Ralph) Maple of Washington and Peggy Hinkle of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren, and eleven great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind one sister, Peggy Maxwell of Morton.

She was employed as a Nurses' Aide at Proctor Hospital and served as a school bus driver for Howard Bus Line for special needs children. She formerly served on the Peoria Chiefs Board of Directors. An avid bowler, she served on the Board of Directors of the U.S.B.C. Women's Bowling Board and was inducted into the National Bowling Hall of Fame. She also served as a foster parent for four years. She later hosted foreign exchange students for several years. Barb was also a former member of the Sunnyland Church of the Nazarene.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington. Visitation will be one hour prior to her service, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow her service at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Tazewell County Resource Center (T.C.R.C.) in Pekin. To share a memory or send a condolence to her family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com