Barbara Iline Campbell

Barbara Iline Campbell, age 87, of Leon, Iowa died April 22, 2021, in her sleep at Castleparke Residential Care in Jefferson City, Missouri. She moved there on Jan. 1, after staying for several months at Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines.

During her time in hospice, she expressed that she had enjoyed a wonderful life, filled with more joy than pain. She hoped that she was leaving good memories with family and friends.

Barbara Iline was born March 20, 1934, the first-born child of Wilfred and Maxine Mead. As the big sister, she welcomed three sisters: Pat, Kay, and Sue and one brother, Rex, to their family. The family resided on a farm south of Seymour, Iowa. The family later moved to a farm near Cambria.

Iline graduated from Cambria High School in 1952. During her high school years, she was hospitalized with polio but was able to recover and continue playing basketball for her school team. She enjoyed attending the Cambria School Reunion each year. In the past few years, she and classmate Ralph Greenfield represented the Class of ’52.

Iline married Frank Campbell in November of ’52 and welcomed their first son, Dan, the following year. Daughter Angi and two more sons, Paul and Andy, completed the family of six.

Frank and Iline farmed south of Humeston, raising crops and building an Angus cattle herd. They also operated Campbell Grain Elevator in Humeston for several years.

Iline was an active farm wife and mother. She took part in all facets of farming alongside Frank and was always an involved mom, helping with 4-H club, school booster clubs, and church activities.

After nearly 25 years of marriage, they parted ways as husband and wife. Eventually, they were able to be friends and share family together.

Finding herself divorced, Iline found employment with the Leon Care Center and worked full time while putting herself through nursing school at Southwest Area Community College. Her strength and determination during this difficult time in her life was inspiring. She graduated in July of 1985. (And now also went by “Barb” as her college professors had used her first name from the records.)

After graduation, Barb worked at the Decatur County Hospital. She held several different nursing jobs there but her favorite was being the Program Director for FOCUS, a behavior program for children and youth. She helped set-up the program from its beginning and saw it through the many required regulations and accreditations. She was passionate about helping families through tough times.

Later, she joined the faculty of Southwestern Community College teaching nursing-related classes. She was known as a knowledgeable, fun-spirited, and caring instructor.

Barb shared a unique and special relationship with each of her grandchildren. They will always remember their summertime visits at Grandma’s House and her fun and lively Campbell Christmases. And they will never drive by the Cambria schoolhouse without remembering how she always insisted on “A Moment of Silence” in respect for her alma mater.

She relished her role as “Aunt Iline”. She loved having nieces and nephews come for visits and stays on the farm and later her home in Leon. She remained close with many of them until her death.

Barbara Iline lived in several rental homes in Leon until she was able to purchase her home on Northwest 13th Drive. She made great neighborhood friends and enjoyed her neighborly visits very much. She created a beautiful yard of flowers and landscaping. Her family will long remember the many gatherings on the sun porch, with Grandma and her cat Maisy.

Preceding her in death are: her parents, Wilfred and Maxine Mead, sisters Kay Garton and Betty Sue Halferty (Larry), brother Rex Mead, son Dan Campbell, and great-granddaughter Brailyn Baugher, and nephew Brad Mead.

Those surviving to mourn her passing are: Daughter Angi Campbell Baugher (Roger) of Jefferson City, MO, and sons Paul Campbell, and Andy Campbell of Wichita, KS. And Daughter-in-law Debbie Hullinger (Randy) of Corydon, Iowa. Grandchildren are: Tyler Campbell of Corydon, IA, Brooke Crooks (Matt) of Madrid, IA, Jami Frush of Denver, CO, Russ Baugher of Jefferson City, MO, Jeff Campbell of Seymour, IA, Calieb Kinstler of Leon, IA, Rian Campbell of Grand Junction, CO, Randi Owens (Clinton) of Steamboat Springs, CO and Zach Campbell of Jefferson City, MO. Great-grandchildren are: Jayla Campbell of New Sharon, IA, Carli Campbell of Des Moines, IA, Cohen Crooks and Connor Crooks of Madrid, IA, George Owens and Hank Owens of Steamboat Springs, CO. And while she was unable to meet the great-grandbaby on the way, she was very excited for its arrival. Sister Pat Smiser (Ed) of Kirksville, MO, brother-in-law Dale Garton, and sister-in-law Carol Mead (Don Hasselmann) of Gladbrook, IA.

She had many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews from both the Mead and Campbell families and truly enjoyed get-togethers and family reunions. Also, family friends, Dixie McLean (Joe) of Ben Wheeler, TX and Kim Chapman Oden (Brent) of Dallas, TX. Dixie’s late husband, Bobbie, and Frank became best friends from their Army days together and the families have remained close.

Due to COVID-19 concerns and out-of-state family members, services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be given to Leon’s New-2-U Thrift Store, the Leon Public Library or the Cambria Cemetery.

Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City is in charge of the arrangements.

Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.