Submitted by: John C. Monk

Barbara Ann Walker

Mar. 25, 1930 - Mar. 20, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Barbara Ann Walker, 79, of South Bend, IN, passed away on Saturday March 20, 2010, (five days before her 80th birthday) in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. She was born on March 25, 1930, in South Bend, to the late Merton L. and Olive (Shanks) Shire and was a lifelong area resident. On July 31, 1948, as Barbara L. Shire, she married James "Kenny" Walker, who survives. Barbara is survived by her two daughters, Vickie (Walter) Dorn of South Bend and Janet Kruk, both of South Bend; "another daughter", Vicki Benedict; five grandchildren, Trina Ryder of Ohio, Scott Dorn of Indianapolis, Jeffrey Nawrocki of Tampa, Florida, Colleen Dorn of South Bend and Amber Kruk of Alabama; seven great-grandchildren, Garrett, Trent, Jenay, Cheyanne, Riley, Brody and Peyton; by two sisters, Sue Shire and Bonnie Kluczinski, both of South Bend; and by a son-in-law, Stan Nawrocki. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Penny Lee Nawrocki, in 2009. Mrs. Walker worked for Robertson Cosmetic Department, the South Bend Community School Corporation, Diversified Manufacturing and Development, Inc., Jordan Ford and Walmart on Portage Road. She was a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, South Bend. Barbara loved needle work and water colors, one of her paintings hung in the Century Center Art Museum. Her daughters were very fond of her paintings and used them as décor in their homes. Barb was especially fond of Angels in any form. Private family services will be held in Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. "If we listen closely, we can hear the sound of Angel wings and know you're still with us" Rest peacefully until we see you again. We love you Mom and Grandma! The family wishes to thank the staff at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and Regency Place nursing home for their loving care of Mom. The family would also like to thank Kaniewski Funeral Home for their help. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 or to Hannah's House, 518 West 4th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544-1819. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune on March 23, 2010