Barbara was born on November 22, 1936, at St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis, IL. The eldest of six, she graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Belleville, IL, and attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Barbara married Joe Todoroff on November 20, 1954. Together, they had three children: Joseph (Sandy) Todoroff of Swansea; Sandra Todoroff of Swansea; and Ken (Cheryl) Todoroff of Las Vegas.
Barbara led a dedicated career in the hospitality industry. She was the co-owner of Riedel’s Restaurant in Swansea, as well as Riedel’s Bakery & Florist in Sunset Hills, MO. Later in life, she was a bus driver for 15 years for First Student and Belleville District 201. She loved getting to know the students who were on her daily route. In middle age, she served as past president and past secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden, IL.
Always the hostess, Barbara was known for her unforgettable family pool parties every Monday in the summer. She found so much joy cheering on her kids and grandkids at their sporting events and loved spending time with her granddaughters and great-granddaughter. Barbara was a game and sports nut — whether it was playing softball, bingo or blackjack, a game she proudly taught her granddaughters. To say she loved the St. Louis Cardinals is an understatement. She was a passionate fan and never missed watching or listening to a game. She also loved to travel, especially to Las Vegas.
A longtime parishioner of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Belleville, Barbara was a devout Catholic and always put her faith first. More recently, she was a steward for her community and volunteered at the Community Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville.
She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 55 years; her parents, James and Mary, nee Saunders, Riedel; three brothers, James “Jimmy Joe” Riedel, Robert “Pete” Riedel and John Riedel; a sister who died in infancy, Jane Riedel; parents-in-law, Nicola and Denka, nee Yordonova, Todoroff; brothers-in-law, Nick Todoroff, Jim Todoroff and Jim Blane; sisters-in-law, Rita Riedel, Jean Todoroff, Rose Todoroff, Nora Todoroff and Betty Todoroff; and numerous cousins and friends.
Surviving are her three children; two grandchildren, Jamie (Matt) Putnam of St. Louis and Jenna Todoroff (Jeff Mattaline) of St. Louis; two step-grandchildren, Brianna Glantz and Harrison Glantz, both of Las Vegas; one great-granddaughter, Madison Putnam; two sisters, Mary Francis (Phillip) Aleman of Springfield, Illinois, and Katherine (David) Bauer of St. Louis; two sisters-in-law, Esther Riedel and Linda Riedel; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Teresa Catholic Church, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Belleville, or the Belleville Community Interfaith Food Pantry. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2024, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, for an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Joseph Oganda officiating.
Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.