Barbara Jean Ward Cruse was born December 31, 1929 to Rolla and Pearl (Greathouse) Masters. Barbara spent her early years in North Bend a small community north of Carterville, Illinois. She graduated from Herrin High School and was voted the girl with the prettiest smile. During her senior year a young man saw her sitting in class while he was working on an electrical power pole. He caught her eye and after she graduated she and the electrical lineman Norman Curtis Ward were married. To this union two daughters were born. Curtiss Ann in 1948 and Marcheeta Jean in 1952. Barbara and Norman divorced and she and her girls moved in with her dad in Herrin,Illinois. She worked for Sangamo Electric during this time.
Barbara then met Hobert JR. Cruse and they married December 24, 1955. To this union one daughter was born, Teena LaDon in 1956. She and her family lived in LaPorte, Indiana, Effingham and Peoria Illinois for a time while JR worked on road construction. They moved back to Marion, ILlinois and at this time Barbara went to Beauty School in Murphysbor and got her beauty operator liscense. She operated a beauty shop in her home for several years. Barbara became involved in the Eastern Star and the VFW Auxilary amd was elected president.
During her later years she drove a school bus for Marion Unit 2 special education and thoroughly enjoy her special kids.
Barbara had six grandchildren. Curtiss Ann gave her Rhonda Kay and Gary Curtis, Marcheeta gave her Joey Dale and Jerrod and Teena gave her Mark and Melissa.
Barbara belonged to the Pittsburg Freewill Baptist Church where she made many friends. She enjoyed hearing messages from the pastor Danny Gray.
In August 1998 she went for her school bus driving physical and it was discovered she had pancreatic cancer. She fought it hard but on January 7, 1999 the Lord saw fit to call her home.
Everyone who knew and loved Barbara misses her greatly