News Progress

Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower, 90, of Lovington, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Eberhardt Village in Arthur, Il. 

Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, IL. As per Barbara’s request there will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to The Eberhardt Village Activity fund, St, Jude or Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Barbara was born on January 13, 1935, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Sarah Frances (Devine) Molzen, spending her youth growing up on the family farm in rural Lovington. She graduated from Arthur High School in 1952 and continued her education at Brown’s Business College in Decatur. Barbara had a diverse career, starting with the Mueller Company and retiring from Masterbrand in Arthur. Her biggest joy was spending time with her family; she would often joke that she spent half her life in school gyms or on football and soccer fields watching her children and grandchildren participate in various sports. She also enjoyed preparing large meals when most of her family would return for the holidays; the food was always plentiful and excellent. Always a sports fan, she watched the Illinois football and basketball teams whenever possible as well as football on Sundays.  During her later years she enjoyed doing crafts which she would proudly display in her apartment. She was a member of the Antioch Christian Church of Decatur.

Surviving are her sons, Jeff (Carolyn) of Lovington, Tim (Sandy) of Baraboo, WI, Phil (Gayla) of Beebe, AR; daughter, Pam Wood of Rock Hill, SC, sister, Phyllis Regalia of Ukiah, CA; brother, Roger Molzen of Sullivan IL.  She is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. 

She was proceeded by her parents, husbands, Robert Trower and Loren Phillips, and son, Mark. 

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the Eberhardt Village staff for their friendship and excellent care during her years there and most importantly their compassion during her final months, allowing her to spend her final days in her apartment with grace and dignity. We would also like to express our appreciation to the hospice nurses from Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice for their kindness and excellent care and Dr. Ellington for years of excellent care.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com