Janice 'Barbara' (Byers) Colford

Janice Barbara Colford, lovingly known as Barbara to her family and friends, was called to her Heavenly home on November 18, 2021.  She was 90.  Her passing was peaceful, with family at her side. 

Barbara was born in Lafayette, Indiana to George and Helen “Nellie” (Kessler) Byers on August 3, 1931.  

She received a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, and a Master’s degree from Indiana University in Kokomo.  She loved children and taught elementary school in Burlington, special education in Kokomo, substituted in Logansport, and was active with Scouting.  

She especially loved her job as a nurse’s aide at the Camelot Care Center in the evenings, and teaching the Camelot students at Fairview West during the day.  Barbara enjoyed babysitting the children during the Masses at Trinity Episcopal Church in Logansport, where she also developed a love and understanding of the Christian faith.  

She retired from Camelot in 1989, but her service didn’t stop there.  She was a very active volunteer in the Logansport community and at her churches.  She assisted with the Mental Health Association Christmas parties, and every year made candy favors out of toilet paper tubes, which was very popular with the participants.  She was instrumental in organizing many activities that are ongoing to this day.  She even won the Good Neighbor Award in Cass County from the Pharos Tribune in the 1990’s.  

Barbara had a lifelong love of gardening and farming. She enjoyed raising chickens, rabbits, goats, and pigs, and readily shared her harvest at the Logansport Farmer’s Market.  She later moved to Goshen to be closer to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.  She also had a special fondness for the Holy Dormition Monastery in Michigan.  She loved to read and collect books, and at age 75, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of publishing two children’s books.  Everyone who knew Barbara knows that she had a heart of gold, would help or pray for anyone, was intelligent, generous to a fault, and had a great sense of humor which was vital for raising such a large family. 

On June 27, 1953, she was married to Raymond Lee “Red” Colford, who preceded her in death on October 20, 1988. She was also preceded in death by her sons, Donald, John, Edward, and Gary; Joey Acrop for whom she was the legal guardian; and her parents and 7 siblings.  

Barbara is survived by sons, David Colford, Thomas Colford, Steven Colford, Scott Colford (Carmen Peterson), all of Logansport, and Timothy (Colleen) Colford, Neenah, WI and daughters, Nancy Colford, Green Bay, Wisconsin and Nina Colford (Gene Ohrt), Royal Center; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; her half-sisters, Lili Byers, San Francisco; Dr. Lia Byers, Medford, Oregon; and Dr. Alicia Byers, Indianapolis; and Susie for whom she was the legal guardian.   

The family wishes to thank the staff at Chase Center in Logansport and her friends at St. Mary’s in Goshen for their support and care. 

Barbara’s funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, 65159 County Rd 33, Goshen, Indiana, with Father Matthew Wade officiating.

Burial will follow in Rives Junction, Michigan at the Holy Dormition Orthodox Monastery.

This funeral service will be live-streamed on the church's Facebook page that can be found at here, 

https://www.facebook.com/stmarysorthodox/live

Kroeger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements,

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