Loretta Jeanne Barnett, 66, of Elizabethtown, Illinois, passed away on August 3, 2026, in Evansville. She was born on December 30, 1959, in McLeansboro, Illinois.

Loretta graduated from McLeansboro High School. She continued her education at Rend Lake Community College and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1982. In her professional life, she served for many years as a social worker and substitute teacher, work that reflected her deep compassion and her desire to help others. She was known as a humble person who cared deeply for those around her and was always ready to assist anyone in need.

She is survived by her son, Dallas Hofmann; her mother, Jeanne Barnett; her uncle, Gene Barnett; and her aunt, Sue Taylor and her husband, Fred. She is also survived by her cousins Beecher and Helen Williams, Mark and Nadine Williams, Susan and Kelvin Kunath, David and Nikki Barnett, Marsha and Tim Orwig, Tonya and Mark Alling, David and Diana Taylor, Ava Gardner, Michelle Nyrkkanen, Jackie Travis, and Jon Travis. Loretta also leaves behind her special friends, Bill and Beth Schmitt, as well as her beloved dog, Ginger. All who knew her will remember her kindness, her humility, and the caring spirit she brought into the lives of others.

She was preceded in death by her father, Rudolph Barnett; her grandparents, Otto and Augusta Barnett, Violet Taylor, and Elmer Holland; her uncle Marvin Barnett and aunt Edna Barnett; her aunt Dorothy Williams and uncle Bob Williams; her aunt Barb Travis and uncle Jack Travis; her uncle Everett Taylor; and her cousins J. Gregg Barnett and Roger Barnett.

A graveside service will be held on September 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Illinois 62934.

Loretta Jeanne Barnett will be remembered with love for her gentle nature, her dedication to helping others, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life.