FLOYD BARKAU, 76 1937 TO 2014 OTTAWA - Floyd Barkau, 76, of Ottawa, formerly of Freeport, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, February 6, 2014, at Morris Hospital, after a long and courageous battle with several health issues. Floyd was born on June 25, 1937, in Highland, IL to John and Esther (Holt) Barkau. In 1952, Floyd, along with his father, John Henry Barkau, and brothers, Wayne and Jim, opened an automotive dealership in Cedarville, IL called J.H. Barkau and Sons, which is still in business today. It is owned by his brother, Jim and his family. In 1959, he graduated from the University of Dubuque, where he received his B.S. in business administration. After graduation he went on to work for Interstate Finance Corporation, in Milwaukee, WI, then Freeport, IL, before becoming the manager of LaSalle Finance Corporation in LaSalle, IL until 1966. He also served in the US Army Reserves from 1960-1966. In 1967, he went on to work for Sierra Motors in Ottawa, where he later became co-owner of Sierra Motors and Coronet Dodge in Peru for several years. In 2004, he took over ownership of Oglesby Motors in Oglesby, IL until he retired in 2008. He is survived by his 2 sons, Mark G. Barkau Panama City, Panama and Michael J. Barkau, of Ottawa; his former wife, Joan K. Brown, they were married from 1962 to 2009; his brothers, Wayne (Nell) Barkau of Spring Valley, IL, James (Barbara) Barkau of Cedarville, IL; and sister, Judy (Duane) McLinn, of Freeport, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, John R. Barkau Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 12, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Jules Adatar, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL, where an additional service will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel for friends and family, with Rev. Gene McIntosh, of Cedarville Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Mueller Funeral Home, 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350, 815-434-4433.