Barbara Tarantino

Barbara Alice Tarantino, 77, of Newton died on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.  A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends after the burial with a lunch at the funeral home.  Memorials to the Jasper County Senior Citizens Center may be left at the funeral home.  

Barbara, the daughter of Russell and Francene (Worthy) Sears, was born on October 26, 1942 in Grinnell.  She grew up in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1960.  On November 18, 1961, Barbara was united in marriage with Robert “Bob” Tarantino at the Methodist Church in Grinnell.  Shortly after they were married they moved to Newton.  Barbara worked at the Grinnell State Bank, Newton Savings Bank, ITT, and most recently DeWar Insurance as an Insurance Agent.  She was an avid bowler and served as the Secretary of the Newton Women’s Bowling Association and was a member of the 500 club.  Barbara also enjoyed cross stitch and playing cards. She loved spending time with and taking care of her family.  

Barbara is survived by her husband, Bob Tarantino of Newton; children, Debbie (Doug) Freese of Maquoketa, Chris (Angie) Tarantino of Altoona, and Chad (Jennifer) Tarantino of Gurnee, Illinois; grandchildren, Michael (Amanda) Freese, Jill (Scott) Dykstra, Sean Ohara, Ethan Tarantino, Hannah Tarantino, and Jack Tarantino; her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Autumn, Brianna, Savannah, Katelyn, Brooklyn, and Ember; sisters, Carol Ebert of Grinnell, Judy Bohner of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Linda (Tim) Stanley of Danbury, Wisconsin; and her many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Larry, in infancy.  

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