Barbara E. McMahan (69) of Effingham

Barbara E. McMahan, 69 of Effingham, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, surrounded by family and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 24, 2025 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with burial in Ramsey Cemetery, rural Effingham. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Hope for Horses or the Effingham County Humane Society.

Barb was born September 19, 1955 in Effingham, the daughter of James C. “Jim” and Beulah F.(Snack) Schlanser. She married Scott A. McMahan on September 28, 1974 and he preceded her in death on February 12, 2020.

Early on it was evident my parents had an entrepreneurial spirit and tremendous work ethic. From their early years running the Texaco station and Ryder truck rental for my Grandfather in the 80s, to their transition to Effingham Shell gas station and Budgets in the 90s, working with family came with its fair share of challenges but they always found a way to rise above it....together. They branched out on a new adventure with opening Handle With Care Packaging Store in 1997, originally downtown. They both took great pride in sending each package with care to ensure it arrived safely. Much bigger jobs in the early days. But life eventually brought them full circle back where it all began back on Keller Drive around 2010. Most days my mother enjoyed the daily task of package Tetris she played trying her best to stack the packages in an even manner throughout the day. Myself, my dad, and several friends liked to razz her about one being out of place and needing fixed.  In 2004, my father made her dreams a reality when they bought "The Land". My father, a former brick mason, laid every brick on their current home (with the help of a lot of great friends and family) overlooking a pasture of 4 horses.... mom's dream! Although we're down to one now, my mother loved waking up to see them. She also very much enjoyed watching the hummingbirds, finches, and cardinals while being outside on the back patio. She enjoyed nights by the fire pit with family and friends. Her last love was her dog Bunny, her faithful companion who went to work with her every day. She also has 3 cats. Needless to say, my mother loved animals and they loved her including her present grand puppies, Jordie and Bella.

In recent years we also enjoyed playing a card game a dear friend taught us. She definitely lived life to the fullest and will be missed by her family and so many great friends.

Barb is survived by her daughter, April (Tom West) of Effingham; sister, Jeane (Gerald) Wernsing of Effingham; niece, Michelle (Michael) Barns of Altamont; brothers-in-law, Steven (Debbie) of Louisville, KY, Patrick of Mascoutah, Tim of Louisville, KY, and Todd of Effingham; sister-in-law, Karen (Tony) Randall of Clarksville, TN; several nieces and nephews by marriage, and her beloved dog, Bunny.