Barbara Lou Anderson

Barbara Lou Anderson, 79, of The Villages, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 22, 2026 in Florida. She was born on September 11, 1947 in Decatur, Indiana to the late Everett Eugene and Helen Arlene (Hiscocks) Rydell.

Barb was united in marriage to John Anderson on October 5, 2013 in Florida. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Indiana, and Psi Iota Xi in Decatur.

Barb was a 1965 graduate of Monmouth High School. She was a paraprofessional in the High School library of North Adams Community Schools for over thirty years until her retirement in 2011. She also worked at the Adams Public Library for many years.

Barb loved to stay active and enjoyed doing the things she loved, whether it was playing golf, shopping, or working on crossword puzzles with John. She always looked forward to playing cards and games, especially 313. She enjoyed keeping in touch with friends and hosting get-togethers. While she cherished these activities and the time spent with friends, her greatest joy in life was being surrounded by her family. The time she spent with them was what meant the most to her and brought her the greatest happiness.

Survivors include her husband, John Anderson of The Villages, Florida; daughter, Leslie (Ryan) Salway of Decatur, Indiana; son, Chad Isch of Marietta, Georgia; sister, Judy (Tom) Mettler of Hoagland, Indiana; brother, Bill (Bonnie) Rydell of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; step-daughter, Melanie Anderson of Rockford, Illinois; step-daughter, Amanda (Tim) Papacek of Hayworth, Illinois; step-son, Robert (Katherine) Anderson of Rochester, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Helen Anderson of Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren, Megan (Tony) Garwood, Brooklyn (Noah Vanhorn) Salway, and Brandon Isch; four great-grandchildren, Keaten, Paxten, Finnley, and Knoxley Garwood; and six step-grandchildren, Evan (Yoshie) Anderson, Mae Anderson, Jack Anderson, Clara Papacek, Emily Anderson, and Myles Anderson.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana with Pastor Brandon Baker officiating.

Burial will be at Drummer Township Cemetery, Gibson City, Illinois.

Family and friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana and one hour prior to services on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to ACCF – Cancer Fund or Adams Public Library.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana