Barbara Ellen Dunning

Barbara suffered a heart attack while at St. Mary’s Hospital.

She was born to Lucille Patricia and Paul William Costello in St. Louis, Missouri, she was one of five children.

She graduated from high school in St. Louis, and later married Al Burns, from this marriage five children were born: Robert, Allen, Kathleen, and twins (still born). Years later she divorced and moved to Hollywood, CA. There she became employed as a medical secretary for several years, then became secretary to author, Zane Grey.

She later moved to Glenwood Springs and worked as secretary for Mid Continent Mines. She met and married Carl Lang, which ended in a friendly divorce. In 1979 she married the love of her life, Bill Dunning. They moved to Grand Junction, close to family, where they had 43 years of great times until Bill’s passing in September 2022.

Barbara was a very good-looking woman, always beautifully kept. As a young woman she was often mistaken for “Liz Taylor.” However, she was a very strong woman, never complaining while facing many adversities in her life. She always said, “I go to the Lord with my troubles!”

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother and father, husband, brothers Robert and Richard, sisters Mildred and Judy, son, Allen, and grandson Cody.

She is survived by her daughter Kathleen, son Robert, six grandchildren, many great grandchildren, many nieces, and nephews who loved her very much.

A celebration of life will be held, Thursday, June 8th, 2pm at Snyder Memorial Funeral Home.