Barbara Manther, 90
Born: Aug. 8, 1921

Died: June 13, 2012

Barbara M. Manther, 90, of Kalamazoo, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, in Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born Aug. 8, 1921, in Pontiac, Mich., to Winfield and Beatrice (Freeman) Webster.

She married Russell Fancher in April 1949 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. He preceded her in death on July 27, 1953. She later married Carl Manther on July 25, 1958, in Grosse Pointe Farms. He preceded her in death on March 30, 1996.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Barbara was preceded in death by one sister, Winifred Webster.

Barbara worked as a legal secretary for many years. She was an avid volunteer for a variety of groups and causes, including tutoring junior high students and working as a hospice volunteer and hospital assistant.

She was active in church life, including as secretary of Marysville United
Methodist Church in Marysville, Mich. She enjoyed oil painting and reading.

Barbara will be missed by family and friends. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Roland and Dorothy Fancher of Kalamazoo and Cassopolis and Bruce and Debora Manther of Royal Oak; two grandsons and one granddaughter in law, David and Esther Fancher of Carmel, Ind., and Lucas Manther; one great -granddaughter, Nadia Fancher; one sister, Dorothy Kratz of Marysville; and one brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Lynda Webster of Grosse Pointe.

Family and friends will gather for a service at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in the auditorium ofThe Fountains at Bronson Place, 1700 Bronson Way, Kalamazoo, with the Rev. Fr. Terry Haughn, rector of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Plainwell, officiating.

The service will be followed by a reception for a time of fellowship and sharing until 4 p.m.
Family and friends will also gather for a committal service at 11a.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Columbaria in Riverlawn Cemetery, Marysville, followed immediately by
a service at Marysville United Methodist Church, 1234 New Jersey Ave., Marysville, with the Rev. Barbara E. Welbaum, pastor, officiating.

The service will be followed by a reception for a time of fellowship and sharing.

The family prefers memorial contributions to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 309 Union St., Plainwell, MI 49080.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.

Online condolences may be posted at wagnercares.com.