Barbara Jean (Fry) Ring

Barbara Jean (Fry) Ring, loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away Monday, February 14, 2022 at Wesley Willows in Rockford, IL. She was ninety-six years old. Barbara was born in Aurora, IL, to Iliff Grant and Eva (Baker) Fry on September 5, 1925, the youngest of three children.
Barbara enjoyed a wonderful marriage to James A. Ring for 53 years. They met on a blind date and were married on February 8, 1947, in Rockford, IL.
Barbara was a lifelong Rockford resident. She attended Garrison Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and West High School, graduating in 1943. While at West High, singing in the school a cappella choir was one of her favorite activities.
After graduation, she worked in the office of a local Rockford industry that built airplane wings for bombers during World War II. Later, she entered the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Program at Swedish American Hospital preparing nurses for the army and naval forces to support the war effort. However, with the end of the war and discontinuation of the Cadet program, Barbara continued her nursing studies at Swedish American and graduated from the School of Nursing Class of 1946, as a registered nurse. She worked at Swedish American Hospital and later at the Winnebago County Health Department in family planning.
Barbara was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Nile. She was a lifetime member of Court Street United Methodist Church, Rockford, IL, participating in the both bell and Court Street choirs, Court Street Quilters, and Church Circle.
Barbara was an active golfer at Sandy Hollow (Par-Tee Golfers) and a bowler at Don Carter Lanes (Lady Bugs).
Barbara and Jim belonged to a potluck group for over 50 years sharing many good times. She enjoyed her lunchtime gatherings at the Stockholm Inn with her friends Doris, Gyla, and Jeanne, and also regularly meeting there after church with her friends Alice, Marie, Donna, Helen, Kay and Pat.
Barbara will be remembered for her gentle nature along with her love of family and friends.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband James Ring, brother Leonard Fry and sister Betty (Fry) Nelson.
She is survived by her two children; Kenneth (Winniy) Ring of Rockford, IL, and Susan (John) Hall of Overland Park, KS, four granddaughters; Jennifer (Brian) Scott, Kristin (Jason) Ray, Laura (Ryan) Shaw and Stephanie (Michael) Keller, her eight great-grandchildren; Nathan and Henry Scott, Evan and Allison Ray, Madison, Brody and Logan Shaw, Lucas Keller, niece Karen Brown of Rockford, IL, niece Sandra Chapman of Rockford, IL, niece Linda Nelson-Ahmer of Idaho and nephew James Fry of Florida.
A special thank you to the compassionate and caring staff at Wesley Willows, Kirk’s Place, and Mercyhealth Hospice for Barbara’s care.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel,1860 South Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. To watch the services virtually go to zoom.us with meeting ID 810 290 6045 passcode 1234. Per CDC guidelines, please wear a face mask.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Court Street United Methodist Church, Rockford, IL, or the Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.