Barbara Ellen Bishop

Barbara Ellen Bishop, 77, of Huntley, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026.

She was born in Wausau, Wisconsin on June 29, 1948, to Leland and Eleanor (Green) Smiley. Barb grew up as a farm girl in the Stanley, Thorp, and Curtiss areas of Wisconsin, where she developed the strong work ethic, warmth, and down-to-earth spirit that would define her throughout her life.

Barb graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in education and went on to dedicate 39 years to teaching biology at Parkland Middle School in McHenry. She loved teaching and deeply cared for her students. Barb had a gift for connecting with people and brought both knowledge and compassion into her classroom every day before retiring at the age of 60.

In 1987, Barb married the love of her life, Robert Bishop, after the two met while singing in the choir at Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake. Their shared faith became the foundation of their marriage and life together. They loved spending time together, traveling the country by car, and making memories along the way. Some of their favorite trips included adventures through the Upper Peninsula and visits to the Soo Locks.

Barb loved to cook, sing, and talk, three things her cancer gradually tried to take from her, but it never took her spark. Even through difficult days, her warmth, humor, and spirit continued to shine. She was beautiful, kind, funny, caring, loving, and known for her wonderful sense of humor and ability to make others feel welcome and loved.

Her faith was central to who she was. Barb loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and lived her life with grace, compassion, and quiet strength.

Barb also embraced her role as a mother wholeheartedly. She loved and raised Jacob as her own, and from the very beginning, he embraced her with that same love in return. She treasured her family deeply and especially loved her role as grandma.

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert; son, Jacob (Pam); cherished grandchildren, Jeb, TJ, Sharon, and Rachel; sister, Kathy (the late Richard) Krueger; sister-in-law, Karen Smiley; nieces and nephews, Deanna (Mike) Gulleford, Wendy (Al) Matney, Greg (Debbie) Krueger, Tim (Valarie) Krueger, and David Krueger; and her dear college friends, Marcia Anderson and Judy Gronning.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Tom Smiley.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21, from 12 p.m. until the memorial service at 1 p.m. at Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake, 575 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barb’s name may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.