University News
Lab School, Early Ed Teacher, Barbara Kowal, Passes Away
February 28, 2008
MACOMB, IL - - Barbara Jean Kowal, 91, a Western Illinois University alumna and former teacher, passed away Feb. 24 in Libertyville, IL.
Kowal was hired as a temporary kindergarten teacher at the Western Illinois Laboratory School in 1953. She then taught third grade at the Lab School, where she served as the unit leader in individually guided education program. She taught with the faculty of Western's elementary education and reading department from 1973 until she retired with an associate professor rank in 1978.
Kowal, who lived the majority of her life in Macomb, graduated as the Macomb High School valedictorian in 1934. She earned her bachelor's (1938) and master's (1959) degrees in education from Western Illinois University. In 1938 Western was officially called Western Illinois State Teachers College; the state legislature approved the name Western Illinois University on July 5, 1957. Kowal also worked on advanced studies at the University of Illinois, Peabody College (Nashville, TN), Indiana University, Northwestern University and Southern Illinois University.
In Macomb, Kowal was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, Macomb Beautiful, the Community Chest and Girl Scouts. She was a charter member of Chapter ME, PEO.
She is survived by her children: Karen Kowal of Arnold, MO; Kent Kowal of Farmington, IL; Kristine Kowal of Lake Zurich, IL; and an "adopted daughter," Marianne Ranos of Lake Zurich, IL; her sister, Luan Saunders of Grand Junction, CO; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Chester J. Kowal, whom she married on Aug. 18, 1940, preceded her in death June 13, 1997.
A family memorial service and interment of ashes in Oakwood Cemetery, followed by a picnic at Glenwood Park, will be held in Macomb in May.
Memorials may be made to the WIU Art Gallery, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390; or First Presbyterian Church, 400 E. Carroll St., Macomb, IL 61455.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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