Barbara Jean (Beasley) Lutz, 87, of Litchfield, died on Thursday evening, Jan.16, 2025, at her residence.
Graveside funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 11:30 a.m. at Union Miner’s Cemetery in Mt. Olive. The Rev. Gary Schwab of First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. A funeral procession will line up at 11 a.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield to proceed to the cemetery.
Mrs. Lutz was born in Walnut Grove, AL, on July 7, 1937, one of eight children of Edgar Dewey and Vera Ellen (Clifton) Beasley. She and Anthony Paul Cerentano married in 1959 and divorced in 1972. She married James Richard Lutz in 1974 in Litchfield, and he preceded her in death on Oct. 10, 2015.
Mrs. Lutz was employed at several businesses through the years, including Roller Derby Skate Corp., Po’ Folks, Long John Silver’s and A&W Root Beer. She loved traveling. Mrs. Lutz particularly enjoyed traveling to bowling tournaments in which she participated, and with her husband, Jim, when he played with the band Jim Lutz & the Regulars. She spent many hours fishing at Lake Lou Yaeger.
Mrs. Lutz is survived by her three daughters, Julie (Howard) Mason of Collinsville, Brenda (Barry) East of Chatsworth, GA, and Terri Cerentano of Litchfield; six grandchildren, Jason Marit of Litchfield, Jennifer Marit of Chatsworth, GA, Derek Cerentano of Dalton, GA, Mike (Megan) Cerentano of Glen Carbon, Ryan Cerentano of Granite City and Jesse Cerentano of Litchfield; and 12 great-grandchildren, Tessa Webber, Will Webber, Kenzee Marit, Ezra Cerentano, Eliot Cerentano, Mallory Cerentano, Brooke Cerentano, Kate Cerentano, Nolan Cerentano, Lily Cerentano, Emma Cerentano and Ellianna Cerentano.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Michael; and siblings Henderson, Freddie, Roosevelt, Ed, Angalow, Robert and Dora.
The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Plummer Funeral Home to help defray funeral expenses. To sign the online guest book or light a virtual candle, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
