Barbara (Singleton) Alesch

Barbara (Singleton) Alesch, of Wheaton, Illinois, passed away suddenly at home on Friday, July 25, 2025, at age 79. Barb was born to Norman P. and Mary Jane (Trockle) Singleton on July 21, 1946, in Akron, Ohio. She was the third child of six children (Sandra, Nancy, Barbara, James, David, and Lawrence). Their family then moved to Marietta, Ohio, where she enjoyed playing outside with her siblings and neighbors. In eighth grade, her family moved back to Akron.

After graduating from St. Sebastian School and Buchtel High School "64" in Akron, Barb attended Kent State University. Fluent in French and Spanish, she graduated in three years with a BS in Elementary Education to marry the love of her life, Richard J. Alesch. Married on December 23, 1967, in Kent, Ohio, they were married for 54 years. A teacher by training and heart, she taught in rural Virginia as the school's first certified teacher. Barb and Richard made everything by hand for that kindergarten classroom. She remembers the truant officer going out to "beat the bushes" to get the children to come to school.

Barb and Richard moved to many locations for his military service and later on, his sales jobs. Starting in Ohio, they moved to Virginia, Germany, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and finally settled in Wheaton, Illinois in 1979. Barb became a pro at making friends and creating community in her new surroundings. In Wheaton, she was very involved in her children's schools, serving as a room mom, den mom, Girl Scout leader, and Catholic Education and Vacation Bible School teacher. Barb loved her church, and even started a food pantry with a fellow parishioner. Barb and Richard made a Marriage Encounter together and actively participated in small faith sharing groups. These small groups became their family away from home.

After raising her family, Barb became a fixture in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn retail, working for Hawthorne Hardware, Schmidt Pharmacy, Daffy Down Dilly, and Lamps and Shades. She loved her customers and coworkers. Barb enjoyed remembering her customers' names and all about their families.

For 33 years, Barb and Richard made St. John Neumann in St. Charles, Illinois, their home church. Barb was active in many ministries, including Welcome, The Giving Tree, Other Sisters of Martha, Funeral Luncheons, and Sanctuary (Mental Health Ministry), to name a few. She treasured her time with the Friends Group at the Catholic Corner and the Bereavement Group at St. Peter's in Geneva. Barb loved attending a silent retreat yearly at the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Barb was known for her loving service to others, her deep faith, and her joyful sense of humor. Barb took care of her husband Richard at home for over 11 years as he struggled with Lewy Body Dementia. She had devoted, affectionate relationships with her children and grandchildren, and they loved her deeply.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, sister Sandra Smith, brothers Jim and Larry Singleton, and her beloved husband, Richard. She is survived by her children, Tracy (James) Legner of Geneva, Illinois, and Steven Alesch of Walnut Creek, California, her grandchildren Giana and William Legner, sister Nancy Roth, brother David Singleton, sisters-in-law Mary Alesch, Linda Thomas and Paula Singleton, nieces Michele Smith, Marcy Smith, Bridget Hilker, Kristen Conner, Kathie Schmidt, Kimberly Naylor, and nephews Barry Smith, Bryan Smith, and Brant Smith.

A visitation and funeral mass have taken place in Illinois. Internment at Resurrection Cemetery, Geneva, Illinois, will be at a later date.

Donations may be made to The Marcy Smith Rectory Kitchen Fund at St. Sebastian Church, Akron, Ohio, at https://www.stsebastian.org/foundation/funds.