Barbara Ann Thomas-Mertens, 84, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Klein Center in West Burlington, IA. She was born on August 30, 1941, in Fort Madison, Iowa to Joseph C. Peacock & Kathryn Holmes. The maternal figure in her life was Doris (Sees) Peacock, whom Joseph married on December 17, 1945. Barbara married Willis “Leroy” Thomas on February 27, 1960, at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison. He preceded her in death on December 12, 2015. She married Robert Mertens on November 26, 2016, at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Barbara graduated from Fort Madison High School in the class of 1959, marched with the Kilties and was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls youth club. She worked for the Iowa Workforce Development Center (10 yrs.), prior at the Sheaffer Pen Company (18 yrs.) in the human resources department, and as a pharmacy technician at Sacred Heart Hospital. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, Bessie Morrison Circle of Kings Daughters, a local P.E.O. chapter, and Silver Steppers. She volunteered for the Aquinas Athletic Association and the PTA. Barb and Leroy shared their home with 13 foster children. She enjoyed knitting/crocheting, sewing costumes for grandchildren, gardening, baking rhubarb cake & crustless pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving (Christgiving), when her children and grandchildren came. She loved to watch the Chicago Cubs and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their many activities.
Barbara is survived by: her husband, Robert. Barb and Leroy’s four children: LeAnn (Tom) Sokolik of Ankeny, Iowa, Linda (Rod) Overlander of Argyle, Texas, Brian (Megan McKay) Thomas of Knoxville, Iowa, and Lori (John III) Mercer of Burlington, Iowa; 1-foster son: Harry Carel of Pleasant Valley, Iowa; 9-grandchildren: Anna (Sokolik) Vandenberg, John Sokolik, Will & Clarke Overlander, Benjamin & Gabriel Thomas, Urban Ziller, John Mercer IV & Max Mercer; 10-great grandchildren: Sloan, Sutton & Sawyer Vandenberg, Gracelynn & Henry Colt Overlander, Ruby Thomas, Briar, Dawson, Maeve, & Milo Mercer due in February 2026; 2-sisters: Joan Burnett of Johnston, IA & Susie Vacilik of Loveland, Colo.; 2-brother in laws: Dwayne (Sylvia) Thomas of Fort Madison, Iowa & Roger (Vickie) Thomas of Des Moines, Iowa; 2-sister in laws: Sue Thomas of Marion, Iowa & Beverly (Randy) Schiller of Basalt, Colo and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by: her parents, first husband, four brother in laws: Donald & Robert Thomas, Raymond Burnett & Joe Vacilik.
A rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory with a visitation to follow until 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Gary Beckman officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for Bessie Morrison Kings Daughter’s Circle/Camp Lookout for camper scholarships. Online condolences to Barb’s family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.