Barbara Sue Stites, age 77, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at Lakeland Rehabilitation Center in Effingham, Illinois.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at C & A Pagel Funeral Home in St. Elmo, Illinois. Pee Wee Denton will be officiating. There will be a one hour viewing prior to the service. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in St. Elmo, Illinois. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at C & A Pagel Funeral Home in St. Elmo, Illinois. Memorials may go to St. Elmo Tree Committee, St. Elmo Public Library, St. Elmo Education Foundation or donor's choice.

Barbara was born on November 16, 1937 in St. Elmo, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence William and Dorothy Ann (Kline) Gire. She married Clifford Benton Stites on June 28, 1958 in St. Elmo, Illinois. He preceded her in death on September 18, 1975. She was involved with the St. Elmo Women's Club, Tree Committee, Lunch Bunch, Historical Society and All Nurses Association. She enjoyed gardening, her dogs and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her sons; Rodney Stites of New Mexico, Richard Stites of St. Elmo, Illinois and Mark Stites (wife Gina) of Charleston, South Carolina; sister, Beverly Taylor of Cridersville, Ohio; brother, Larry Gire (wife Karen) of Troy, Illinois; 6 grandchildren, Lindsay, Tina, Daniel, Kaitlyn, John Mark and Scarlett; 4 great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Atticus, Amelia and Ruby and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Dorothy Gire; son, Michael Stites; brother-in-law, Ben Taylor and one niece, Pam Taylor.