Barbara J. Rursch, 83, of Taylor Ridge, passed away on Saturday May 27, 2017 at Silver Cross Nursing and Rehab, Rock Island.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am on Thursday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Andalusia. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00pm Wednesday at St. Patrick's Church. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan is assisting the family. Burial will be in Reynolds Cemetery. Memorials may be left to St. Patrick's Church.

Barbara was born on December 23, 1933 in Aledo, the daughter of Wilbur and Frances (Henderson) Guthrie. She graduated from the Villa in 1951 and attended Marycrest College, Davenport. She married Duane Rursch on October 17, 1953 in Aledo.

Mrs. Rursch had been employed with the Rockridge School District for over 40 years as a secretary and teachers aide. She was an active member at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Andalusia, where she played the organ and was a choir member. Barbara was always willing to help out the community and with school and church functions. Barbara loved spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her daughters and sons in law, Renae (Russ) McConnaha, Milan, Rita (Scott) Maynard, Renita (Paul) Gregory, all of Taylor Ridge; grandchildren, Sarah (DeWayne) Stropes, Stacy (Jason) Brown, Alana (Rudolf) Scavuzzo, Ashley Gregory, Bill (Angie) McConnaha, Amy (Andy) Kirchner; great grandchildren, Alyssa and Blake Brown; 8 step great grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; brothers and sisters in law, Orville(Nancy) Rursch, Marvin (Denise) Rursch, Donald (JoAnn) Rursch, John (Dorothy) Rursch, Clair (Shirley) Rursch; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Duane in 1980; her parents, Wilbur and Frances; brother, John Guthrie and sister in law, Lois Anderson and her husband Nels Anderson.