Barbara Elane Gerres

Barbara Elane Gerres died late in the evening of Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona from complications of lung cancer.  She was 82 years old.  Barbara was born on July 14, 1936, in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois to her parents, the late Benjamin Franklin and Doris Virginia (Shaw) Caplinger. 

On November 2, 1979, Barbara married her "forever sweetheart", Thomas E. Gerres, in Show Low, Arizona.  They had a beautiful and happy marriage and completed each other's world.  They were best friends and lived nearly 38 years serving one another.  Sadly, Tom passed away in July of 2018.  Barbara was never one to sit idly by.  She worked several years for the Springerville Chamber of Commerce, retiring as the chamber's director.  She and Tom also co-owned Mike's Place Steakhouse and Saloon for 10 years when they decided retire to their ranch in Catron County, New Mexico.  She loved her little piece of heaven there.

Barbara was a nature girl at heart.  She was an avid birdwatcher, and was always on the lookout for her favorite little hummingbirds.  She was blessed with a "green thumb" and loved planting flowers in the springtime with her granddaughter and wine drinking buddy, Stacy.  Together, the two celebrated the mid-week and called it "Wine Wednesdays," and did that for a few years.  Barbara also knew her way around the kitchen and loved cooking and baking for her family and friends.  

It has been said of Barbara that, "She never met a stranger, in that, everyone who met her, fell in love with her.  Her smile was contagious and her laugh, infectious.  Even during her final stay at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, the hospital staff "rolled out the red carpet for her."  Barbara had many, many friends throughout her life and she truly loved her "Red Hat" sisters.  They always had a great time together.         

Barbara is survived by her 2 children:  Mark Alyn Walters of Bend, Oregon, Lori Anne Hale of Springerville, Arizona; 5 stepchildren:  Larry (Beverly) Gerres of Springerville, Arizona, Joe (Beverly "Bebbie") Gerres of North Carolina, Danny (Bonnie) Gerres of Delaware, Kathleen Gerres of Wilmington, Delaward, Wendy Gerres of Bear, Delaware; granddaughter, Stacy Elane Hale of Springerville, Arizona;  2 brothers:  Benjamin Franklin (Donna) Caplinger, III of Fair Play, Missouri, Robert Jerry (Sandy) Caplinger of Oreana, Illinois; many other grandchildren; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Along with her husband, Barbara was preceded in death by a son, Darrell Edward Walters in October of 1982; step-son, Thomas Gerres, Jr. and by her sister, Beverly Wisnasky.

A special memorial service for Barbara's family and friends will begin at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, July 27, 2019, at the VFW, 593 N. Main St., in Eagar, Arizona.  Her family continues to be thankful for the kindnesses they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf.  They are strengthened by the love of their community of friends.