Corinne Ruth Barz

Corinne (Corky) Ruth Barz, age 95 of Crest Hill Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by family March 18, 2022, at the Lightways Hospice in Joliet. Born in Chicago on October 21, 1926. She was the dear daughter of the late Einar & Ruth Sigwards. Loving wife of the late Robert “Boomp” Barz for 64 years. She was preceded in death by siblings Elwood (Rosemary) Sigwards and Jackie (Donald) Hay. She is survived by her four children Bill (Margaret), Tom (Lois), Rick (Pat), and Cindy Wentzlaff; ten grandchildren Bob (Annie) Barz, Melissa Mickey (David), Mike (Molly) Barz, Julie Beste (Jared), Katy Martin (Jake), Ruth Kniuksta (Alex), Joe Wentzlaff, Amy Barz, Tim Barz, and Lisa Wong (Ryan); 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Corky married the love of her life Bob “Boomp” Barz on August 28, 1948, in Chicago. She retired from her position as Regional Coordinator with the Illinois State Lottery after many years. She had previously worked for Mid-Central food services and other sales jobs throughout her working carrier. Corky grew up in the city of Chicago and lived in Norway for 2 years dancing her way through many European countries as Little Miss America. Upon returning to Chicago, she graduated from Harper High School in 1945, attended Wilson Jr College majoring in business and art. During WWll she corresponded with overseas servicemen, but her favorite-Bob Barz. After many letters and finally meeting Bob they married and started their family in Chicago, living at 70th and Damen until they moved to Country Club Hills in 1960. Raising their family and living there for 46 years they made the big move to a beautiful retirement community, Carillon Lakes in Crest Hill Illinois in 2006. She enjoyed wintering with friends and family in Long Key, FL, for many years. Corky enjoyed traveling with Bob throughout the US and many foreign countries. She enjoyed her crafts; she was a superior stitcher in all the needle crafts and art projects. She enjoyed her cooking and baking and reading a good book, was a lifelong sports fan and avid fisherman and enjoyed doing many odd jobs around the house. She was a member of the Red Hatters and an active member of the Carillon Lakes Community Center in Crest Hill where she enjoyed all the card games with her many friends. Corky and her husband were founding partners of Fin & Feather, a Canadian fishing resort, their honeymoon was even a fishing trip to Wisconsin. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. To celebrate Corky’s life and legacy, please join us on Saturday May 7th, 2022, at the New Lenox American Legion Post 1977 located at 14414 Ford Dr (Cedar Rd) from 1:00-4:00 PM with a short memorial at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Corinne “Corky” Barz to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Box 4, Chicago, IL 60611 or at luriechildrens.org/donate. Funeral arrangements handled by Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road. New Lenox, IL 60451