MT. VERNON - Barbara A. VonBehren, 79, of Springfield, died at 2:01 a.m. Monday, May 9, 2011, at her home. She was born July 27, 1931, in Mt. Vernon, to Clifford M. and Eva F. (Davis) Ames. She married her high school sweetheart Louis V. VonBehren on Aug. 31, 1951, which would have been 60 years this August, and he survives. Surviving are two children, Dale (Kathy) VonBehren of Shrewsbury, Mass. and Beth (Steve) Sturm of Chatham and four grandchildren, Ashley Sturm, Megan VonBehren, Lauren Sturm and Ryan VonBehren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Michael Louis VonBehren. Barbara was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Session, active in Christian education and mission programs and Presbyterian Women for several years. Barbara received her bachelor's from SIU-C and received her master's from Illinois State University in 1976. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. She was editor of the SIU-C paper, The Daily Egyptian. Barbara was a teacher in New Albany, Ind., Murphysboro and District 186. She was a resident of Springfield for 46 years. She enjoyed bridge, scrabble, theater, opera, reading, tutoring and being in the company of family and friends. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at Staab Funeral Home.