- Date Of Birth: December 26, 1931
- Date Of Death: February 4, 2014
- State: Michigan
Barbara Jean Willard, 82, of Cassopolis, passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2014, in Elkhart General Hospital after a brief illness. Barbara was born December 26, 1931 in Cassopolis, Michigan to Kenneth and Etolia (Halverson) DeForest. She attended school in Mishawaka, Indiana, and, later, high school in Cassopolis, Michigan, where she met and married James Robert Willard July 21, 1950 in Cassopolis.
He preceded her in death in 2010 after sixty years of marriage. She was also preceded by her parents. Barbara’s most important job was being a stay at home Mom. She also worked for the Cassopolis School system as a Teachers’ Aide. Barbara was a member of Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis. She was a gentle soul who took great pride in her children, grandchildren, great grandson and her home.
Family and friends will greatly miss Barbara. She is survived by one daughter, Cynthia Willard of Cassopolis and New Orleans; former son in law, Patrick McGehe of Cassopolis; one son, Kenneth Willard of Elkhart, Indiana; three grandchildren, Travis (Emily) Willard of Elkhart, Indiana, Derek (Hollie) Willard of Greenwood, Indiana, MacKenzie Willard of Elkhart; one great grandson, Tre’ Willard; one sister, Linda (Kenneth) Clark of Ceresco, Michigan.
