Barbara Esther Stoddard

Barbara Esther Stoddard

Nee Rooney

Barbara R. Stoddard was born June 9, 1928 in East Chicago, Indiana and peacefully passed away at home with family on January 20, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was a long time resident of Northwest Indiana until a recent relocation to Arizona to be closer to family.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Machel and Gizella Rooney, husband George H. Stoddard, son Michael G. Stoddard, and most recently, grandson Michael D. Agerter.

She is survived by her daughters Susan (William) Harvey of Arizona and Leslie (Mark) Agerter of Ohio; grandchildren Mark (Sammy) Million and Jill (Brian) LaPlante of Arizona, Michael Lynn (Tim) Walding of Texas, Timothy J. Agerter, Marlie  (Lance Iman) Agerter and Nicholas Agerter all of Ohio, Jamie Key, Casey (Demian) Harvey of Indiana, Heather (Derek) Sylte of Wisconsin ; great grandchildren Christopher Michael Agerter of Ohio, Taylor, Kylia, Wil and Luke Key of Indiana, Sophia Sylte of Wisconsin and Chase and Maddie Lemasters of Indiana. Also, cousins Arlene Minard, James Such and longtime friend Norman Relich.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Karl Ludwig officiating,; Directly at Ridgelawn-Mt. Mercy Cemetery in Gary.

Barbara attended Garfield Elementary and East Chicago Washington High School. She later received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Purdue University Calumet where she was an employee for over 25 years.

Her grandparents were founding members of the former Hungarian Reformed Church, now Faith United Church of Christ, which she was a lifetime active member. She was a Sunday school teacher, then director of the Sunday school for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed organizing many activities for the children of her church. She was a consistent participant in all church activities as well as the Church Council.

Until a decline in health, one of her favorite past times was donating her time holding and rocking sick babies in the hospital.  She always enjoyed going out to eat but especially enjoyed Sunday brunches.  She loved the color purple, anything with strawberries or peaches and her favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art”. The passage most dear to her heart was from Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant and a time to reap what has been planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal: a time to break down, and a time to build up:

A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

Nana, we weep and mourn for you now but in time, we will heal and be able to laugh and dance once again.

Love from your family.

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