Barbara L. Barger

Barbara L. Barger, 94, of Decatur, Indiana passed away Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026, at Swiss Village in Berne.

She was born on June 2, 1931in Grant County, Indiana to Verlin M. and E. Bernice (Bentley) Douglass.

Barbara was united in marriage to John R. Barger on August 19, 1951at the United Methodist Church in Huntington County, Indiana and he preceded her in death on February 6, 2014.

She graduated from Andrews High School. Barbara lived a life rooted in faith, service, and family. She was a devoted member of Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren, where she generously shared her time and talents as a Sunday school teacher and day camp leader, worship leader, and was a singer with the Brethren Aires Choir. She was also a member of the Extension Homemakers Merrier Mondays Club.

Barbara worked as a teacher’s aide at Adams Central Community Schools in the 1970’s. In the early 1980s, Barbara founded the pre-school program at the church, leaving a lasting legacy of nurturing young children in a loving, faith-filled environment. She was also a faithful farm wife and tended to her garden and flowers. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, dedication to others, and unwavering commitment to her church and community.

She is survived by two daughters, Debi (Jon) Huskins of Zionsville, Indiana and Kathy (Barry) Kolter of Branson, Missouri; son, John Max Barger of Arlington, Virginia; sister, Mary Ann (Keith) Eller of Huntington, Indiana; grandchildren, Travis (Natalie) Kolter of Tucson, Arizona, Natalie (Ramin) Razavi of Pasadena, California, Jared (Lauren) Kolter of Branson, Missouri, Jordan (Abi) Huskins of Zionsville, Indiana, Kristen Kolter of Branson, Missouri, and Lauren (Ryan) Church of Brownsburg, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Isaiah Razavi, Ian Huskins, Digory Huskins, Roseanna Huskins, J. Eames Church, Norah Church, Hallie (Canon) Black, Kaden Kolter, Brylie Kolter , Della Kolter, Jovie Kolter, and Jack Kolter; and a great-great-grandchild, Eliana Black.

Barbara was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Ivan Huskins; brother, G. Max (Anita) Douglass; sister, Nancy Rogers; brother-in-law, William K. (Cora) Barger; sister-in-law, Carol (Doyle) Stern; and two nieces, Cindy Barger-Stapleton and Sigrid Rothgeb.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pleasant Dale Church located at 4504 W 300 N, Decatur, IN 46733 on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The family invites you to share in a time of worship & remembrance to be followed by a celebration lunch.

Memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Pleasant Dale Church, IU Foundation (for Alzheimer’s Research), or Swiss Village Staff Appreciation Fund.

Arrangements are by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana.