SESSER – Barbara Marie (Julius) Lappin, 89, of Sesser, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Stonebridge in Mt. Vernon, IL. She was born September 15, 1936, in Jefferson County to John and Petronilla (Puleikis) Julius. She attended St. Barbara’s Catholic School in Scheller, IL, and graduated from Goode Barren Township High School in 1954.

She married Robert L. Lappin on February 19, 1955. They had three sons and one daughter: Robert Brent, Mark Lee, Barbara Jayne, and Marion Ray.

Barbara was best known as the longtime owner of the Custard Stand in Sesser, which she ran for nearly a quarter of a century. She was an avid painter and loved spending time with her grandchildren, occasionally taking them on trips in her earlier years. She also enjoyed going to see her musically talented family perform at various venues, especially at her annual “Garage Band” birthday parties. Family and friends would come from miles away to celebrate with her. In her later years, she had the great joy of seeing her great-grandchildren during visits at her residence.

Barbara is survived by her sons: Robert B. Lappin (Kay Kimmel) of Burbank, CA, Mark (Mona) Lappin of Sesser, and Marion (Kelly) Lappin of Sesser; and her daughter, Barbara Jayne Lappin of Crainville, IL. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Matthew (Brittany) Lappin, Carly Gregory, Marcus Lappin, and Rae (Ross) Worthey; and seven great-grandchildren: Arthur, Ellie, and Olive Lappin, Harrison Hoekstra, Jane Pearl, Marigold Lee, and Flora Marie Worthey; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Julius; her mother, Petronilla (Julius) Heck; her brother, John Julius; her sister, Leona Lee (Julius) Heck; and her husband, Robert L. Lappin.

Funeral services will be held at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, on Monday, December 22, 2025, with Monsignor David Darin officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Autism Awareness.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.