Barbara Jean Hilbert, age 77, of Franksville/Raymond, passed surrounded by her children on Thursday, February 19, 2026. She was a woman of remarkable depth, independent and strong-willed, a caring wife and mother, a dedicated healthcare professional, and a person whose warmth, humor, and boundless curiosity touched all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Barbara was born on May 10, 1948, in Aurora, Illinois, to Louis and Wilma (née Bonnet) Nightingale. On September 27, 1969, she exchanged vows with the love of her life, Ernest "Ernie" Hilbert, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aurora,  a union that became the cornerstone of her life.

Barb built a distinguished career as a Radiologic Technologist, CBDT at All Saints Healthcare, where she served with excellence and compassion for 34 years. She was deeply respected by her colleagues and the patients she cared for, and was honored with the prestigious Greek Award from Marian University in recognition of her outstanding community service and professional accomplishments.

Beyond her professional life, Barb was a woman of many talents and passions. Her knitting needles were rarely still; she transformed yarn into beautiful works of art for family and friends, and her skill earned her multiple blue ribbons at both the county and state fair level. An accomplished musician, she played the violin and bowed psaltery, sharing her gift at family gatherings and non-profit events throughout the years. She poured countless hours into researching her family's history, ultimately tracing her roots all the way back to the year 1200. Barb also cherished quiet afternoons lost in a good book, found great joy in performing Scottish dances at festivals, and was a devoted enthusiast of the Renaissance Faire, where she always arrived in full period costume, fully embracing the spirit of the occasion. Her wit and sense of humor had a way of sneaking up on you, but if you were paying close attention, it was never disappointing.

Family was the foundation of Barb's life. She attended as many of her children's and grandchildren's activities as she could, showing up with a proud and loving heart.

Barbara is survived by her loving children, Christian Hilbert, Andrew Hilbert, Matthew (Kelly) Hilbert, Sarah (Eric) Rehl, and Nicholas (Shannon) Hilbert; her cherished grandchildren, Tyler, Brianna, Theron, Thor, Abigail, Alexander, Smyth and Beckham; her siblings, Daniel Nightingale, Gary (Ottilla) Nightingale, and Debra Nightingale; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends whose lives she enriched. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernie; her parents, Louis and Wilma Nightingale; her brother, William; and her sister-in-law, Tammy.

Service Details

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather for visitation from 4:00 PM until the time of service. May she rest in the peace she so graciously gave to others.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Barbara's memory, to continue funding life-saving cancer research and supporting patients and families through their own battles. https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/In-Honor-of-Barbara-Jean-Hilbert