Barbara Jean Searles Wachter was born on May 17, 1931 in Karnak, IL to Ray and Violet Cooper Searles. Her mother died when she was three and a half and her brother Kenneth Ray was only six months and they were left in the care of their beloved grandparents.Barbara was a loyal and devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Metropolis. She held many offices in the church and was active in the Volunteer S.S. Class and United Methodist Women.She had also been a member of many civic groups including Business & Professional Women, Metropolis Women's Club, Metro Chamber of Commerce, Massac Memorial Hospital Board, Rebekah Lodge, Metropolis Bridge Club, and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Violet Searles, infant brother Donald Lee, nephews Terry Ray and Jeffery Cooper Searles.She is survived by her husband of 64 years Pete; her brother, Kenneth Ray Searles and his wife Shirley; sister-in-law, Jane Lewis and husband Dick; nephews, Mark Searles, Troy Lewis and wife Michelle; nieces, Robin Searles, Teresa Blair and husband Tommy; great niece, Cassie Lewis Crosby; great nephews, Brenen Blair and Keanan Blair; and her "1st cousins".Barb loved the Lord, her family, and her church family.Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Metropolis. Rev. Jeff Bealmear, Rev. Jon Cockrel, and Rev. Mike Duncan will officiate. Burial will follow in the Metropolis Memorial Gardens.Visitation will be held on Saturday evening February 7, 2015 from 5 to 8 pm at the Metropolis First United Methodist Church and on Sunday, February 8, 2015 from 12 pm until the funeral hour at the church.Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 100 East 5th Street, Metropolis, Illinois 62960, Eagle House Ministries, P.O. Box 97, Buncombe, Illinois 62912, or First United Methodist Church Youth Group, 100 East 5th Street, Metropolis, Illinois 62960.Music will be provided by Stecia Gregory, organist/pianist.Pallbearers will be Billy Hopkins, Troy Lewis, Brad Bryant, Gerald Searles, Landon Bremer, and Mitch Bremer.Honorary pallbearers will be the Volunteer Sunday School Class.Miller Funeral Home in Metropolis, Illinois is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com