George Barford, 84, a former art teacher at Illinois State University and designer of the original seal of the school, died Wednesday at the Bromenn Regional Medical Center in Normal. Mr. Barford was born in Marion, Ohio. He later graduated as valedictorian of West Allis High School in Wisconsin. He received a bachelor’s degree from Milwaukee State Teachers College in 1935 and a master’s degree from Columbia Teachers College in New York City in 1938. Mr. Barford was chairman of the Art Department at the College of St. Francis in Joliet from 1939 to 1942. He taught art at Illinois State University from 1947 to 1986. During that time, he also taught in London, Paris, Vienna and Mexico City during the summers. Besides teaching, Mr. Barford wrote several books including “Clay in the Classroom” and “Understanding Modern Architecture” and co-edited “Architecture in Illinois.” He is a former president of the Illinois Art Education Association, the Art Education Foundation and Corn Belt Library System Board. He created 12 color films about art, design and architecture for the International Film Bureau of Chicago. Mr. Barford’s film, “Pioneers of Modern Architecture in Chicago,” received first prize and the gold award for the best film in the fine arts division at the 1985 Chicagoland Educational Film Festival. He helped design the original seal of Illinois State University and the ISU presidential medallion. Survivors include three sons, George, David C. and Michael A.; a daughter, Susan Jeter; a brother; four sisters; and nine grandchildren. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday in the St. Robert Belarmine Newman Center, 501 S. Main St., Normal. Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the center.
