Barbara Hinson
Alton | Save
Barbara Hinson would be the first to tell you that she had many blessings in her life and overcame a few challenges along the way, too. But what sustained her and gave her strength were her family, friends and faith.
When a friend heard the news that Barb had died on November 29, 2025, at age 83 while spending her last month of life at Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis, her first reaction was, “Oh, dear … the world has certainly lost a force.”
Her three children, Becky (Michael) Slatin, Andrew (Becky) Schubert and Robert (Valerie) Schubert; and four grandsons, William Slatin, Lucas Schubert, Huxley Schubert and Wallace Schubert; her brother, Ralph “Skip” (Jackie) Luken; cherished cousins, including Linda (James) Begnel, their spouses and children; and her stepdaughters and their families, Jean Johnson and Betty Colligan, will certainly miss this force in their lives.
Born on January 9, 1942, in Alton, Illinois, Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Helen (Fravle) Luken; her beloved husband, Elmo Hinson; her brother, Robert Luken; and her former husband, Roger Schubert.
Barb loved sharing memories of growing up in the Christian Hill neighborhood that she would call home for most of her life. She had an exceptional education, starting at Saints Peter & Paul grade school, attending Marquette High School, where she was an “honorary” graduate and enjoyed many high school reunions with longtime friends, and graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in South Bend, Indiana. She graduated with a degree in education from Western Illinois University. She had great adventures with her family growing up and traveling across the United States and to Europe as a teenager with her family, taking a trans-Atlantic round trip on the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
Raising her three children and watching her grandsons grow up and thrive was her greatest point of pride. She loved attending soccer games, plays, swim meets, and band concerts, going to movies, and taking many trips to Walt Disney World with her family.
Always curious, she thrived in a variety of careers during her lifetime, including third-grade teacher, small business owner, interior designer, and working alongside her parents and brother in the family businesses. She retired after 15 years serving as the administrator of Foxes Grove Retirement Community, where she met her husband, Elmo Hinson.
Barb never knew a stranger and delighted in meeting new people and making new friends throughout her life. She loved a good party and didn’t let the fact that she didn’t like to cook stop her from inviting friends to her home. Once retired, her typical day could include Mass in the morning, a stop at Hayner Library to pick up a new mystery, lunch that included playing dominoes or hand and foot, and dinner at night with friends. She went non-stop, and even after an injury prevented her from driving any longer, her dear friends were always willing to give her a ride and make sure she didn’t miss out on any fun. She loved her extended family and had wonderful times at big family gatherings with her beloved aunts, uncles and many cousins.
As a lifelong resident of Alton, Barb delighted in a good neighborhood party, a band concert on a summer Thursday night in Riverview Park, passing out Halloween candy to the hundreds of kids who stopped at her front porch, the annual Christmas tree burning on the Epiphany (which she remembered as a child and helped return years later for her own children and grandchildren to enjoy) in the Cousley Sunken Garden and many other activities that make Christian Hill such a special place.
Barb was a champion for all things Alton, and she loved volunteering with many wonderful organizations. She was a former Alton YWCA board member and was a 2008 Alton YWCA Women of Distinction Honoree. The YWCA was a part of her life at a young age, where she would spend Saturdays playing games, swimming and socializing with her fellow Junior Suzies, and as she got older would learn social dancing. She often fondly recalled how many of these girls would remain friends throughout her life. Barb spent many years volunteering and being an ardent supporter of Vintage Voices. She volunteered and helped fund-raise for Wreaths Across America held annually for the Alton National Cemetery. She was a member of the Junior League and remained active with Alton Community Service League. She enjoyed being a part of Old Friends and New and their monthly book club. She was a member of the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution Alton Ninian Edwards Chapter and was a member of PEO.
Barb’s Catholic faith sustained her throughout her life. As a devout parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, she built a community of friends, starting with those she met in the parish school. She was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni & Meritorious Service Award recipient for her continued support of the former school. Barb was a member of the Parish Council finance committee, Altar Society, volunteer with the annual Christmas Bazaar and coordinator of the Granny’s Attic sale for many years. Her faith extended to her service on the OSF Saint Anthony’s Foundation board supporting many of the hospital’s events. She was a longtime supporter of and volunteer with the Oblates at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey, Illinois. During her final days at Mother of Good Counsel Home, she was surrounded by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and their Mission Partners, who provided Barb with love and compassionate and faithful care.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Alton. A reception will follow.
A private burial will take place for family in Gillespie, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church or Mother of Good Counsel Home.
Gent Funeral Home
